Xen's Misc. Links

This is a mish-mash of links that I have come across and/or find interesting. Most of the links are Minnesota-centric and Twin Cities oriented. Hope it gives you a little insight to the TC Sprawl. Good stuff to have if you ever visit or live here.  Please let the webmaster@cubezoo.com know of any broken links, thanks!

Updated:  12.18.2002 18:22

Looking for any Twin Cities links, send webmaster@cubezoo.com any interesting links to places in the Twin Cities!

  Java Crawl 2000 (a biased review of Twin Cities Coffee Houses, Java Crawl 2003 coming soon!)

 

Link(s) Description
Web Comics  
Goats - like cheers on acid
User Friendly - follow the drama as it unfolds at this ISP
Space Moose - strip has been dormant for almost a year now
Entertainment/Literature/Etc.  
  Moonlight Meditations - created by Shawn Stuart.  Used to be a weekly program on Sunday nights here in the Twin Cities on the old Rev 105.  Glad to see that she is still going with the idea.  It is an excellent blend of many different things, I highly recommend you check it out.
praxis - more of a bible discussion group.  I find the conversations intellectually stimulating.  It is sponsored by the United Methodist Church.  But the door is open to all to come and listen and discuss.  I am the site's webmaster.
The Fedaykin - the Fedyakin were Fremen death commandos in Frank Herbert's Dune novels.  This site is devoted to his works.  It also hosts the Dune III MUSH.  I spent a large amount (more than I should have) on the original Dune MUSH.  I have many fond memories.  Dune III is in the same spirit.
StickDeath.com StickDeath.com - insanely humorous.  See stick figures like you've never seen them before!
News  
Local News Sources (Twin Cities)  
Pulse of the Twin Cities -a weekly publication, primarily focuses on local music, and related entertainment information.  However it does have some good news articles and some interesting views on local politics.  Reminds me of the old publication the Twin Cities Reader before it was bought out by City Pages' parent MegaCorp
City Pages - another weekly publication.  Larger than the pulse.  One of a handful of "alternatvie" local publications.  Woefully it was purchased a few years ago by a national Media Corporation and has since lost a bit of it's edge.  But it is still good.
Star Tribune - Minneapolis' major newspaper.  One of the two largest papers in the Twin Cities.
Pioneer Press - St. Paul based newspaper.  The other major newspaper of the Twin Cities.
Misc. News Sources  
/. - one of my daily reads
Kuro5hin - like /. but covers other topics.  Another good read.
the eXile - found this one night while surfing world news outlets.  Like City Pages (only harder) in Moscow.
Music   
Astronaut Wife - I first heard this local band one morning listening to the U's radio station (Radio K) and was hooked.  I highly recommend downloading their music and purchasing their CD.  
KFAI 90.3/106.7 FM - Twin Cities Fresh Air radio.  One of the last outlets of truely independant music.  Community focused, local artist friendly.  It is like having a new radio station every hour.  I enjoy listening to Universal Frequencies on Sunday nights.  A lot of the spirit of the old Rev 105 station.  They play a lot of world music.  In the Twin Cities you only really have KFAI and Radio K for indenpendant and non-corporate music.  (if you know of others please email me)
junobeach.com - a local Twin Cities internet radio station.  Much in the same spirit as KFAI, Radio K, and Rev 105.
Radio K 770 AM - U of MN's college radio station.  I like it.
There are many more local stations, but since they are owned by large Media Conglomerates (such as ABC/Capitol/Disney), I will not waste time, space, or electrons by listing them.  If you are interested search on Twin Cities radio.  I used to have a large write up on them, but they digust me so much with their recycled crap and increasing commercials that I dumped the whole section.  The only one I will mention is Zone 105.  It was what Disney resurrected when it bought/destroyed Rev 105.  It was a sad day when that happened.  I only mention the Zone because two of Rev's old DJs Brian Oake and Mary Lucia have a very good morning show.  (I know, I know, I should tell you how I really feel...) 
Coffeehouses  
cyber X coffeehouse - I really enjoy it here.  Mochas are good and I enjoy the atmosphere.  UPDATE:  unfortunately this coffeehouse has closed.  I am unsure of the reasons.  Please email me if you know why.
the rest of the coffeehouses listed do not have websites (that I could find in less than 5 minutes of searching, please email me the links if you have them)  

Coffeehouses:
listed in the order I would recommend them as of 6/2001 this is by no means scientific and is very biased.  I use the Mocha as the standard drink to determine the quality of the beverages. 

  1. CoffeeGrounds - located on Hamline, just north of Larpentuer.  Great weekday morning staff.  Very good mochas.
  2. Cahoots - located on Selby and Snelling, great service, good atmosphere. Very good Mexican restaurant just 2 doors down.
  3. Lori's - located across from the U of MN-St. Paul on Cleveland Ave. What can I say, it is my favorite.
  4. Sister Sludge - corner of 46th and Bloomington Ave, MPLS, another great place.
  5. Espresso Expose - next to Moos Tower, U of MN campus, Mpls. Since new management took over, it has not been the same, but still pretty good. This used to be my #1 when I was in college.  UPDATE:  Visit them!  A Starbucks recently opened in the Radisson across the street and they have been forced to cut their hours due to the competition.  They have far better quality and far better price of coffee than Starbucks.  Don't let an irresponsible Corporate Giant hurt this great College establishment!
  6. Purple Onion - in Dinkytown. My old #2 from college.  It would be higher but I haven't been there in a long time and places can change.
  7. Espresso 22 - in the DinkyDome. Great view, good atmosphere. Another old college favorite.
  8. Java Drive - multiple locations, great idea.  Drive thru!  Very decent mochas (weighs up in the list due to the convenience factor).
  9. Prairie Star - next to the liquor store on the corner of Raymond and University, near 280.  I list it because they were kind enough to house praxis.
  10. Cosmic Coffee - on the corner of Selby and Snelling.  My friend Mike liked it.  It was ok, at least worth mentioning.
 

cyber X - I really enjoy this place and only list it as 3rd because I have only been there a few times.  Expect it to rise on the list.  UPDATE:  this coffeehouse is no longer open.  :(

 

Coffeehouses to avoid (in no order):

Starbucks - I won't even comment.

Caribou Coffee - Not as bad as Starbucks.

Dunn Bros - the least evil of the franchise chain.

Nina's Cafe - used to be Cafe' Blair, a very good coffeehouse, #3 on my list. But now it suffers from quirky hours, snooty service. Designed to be a place for the Summit Ave high-lifers to go to when they want coffee.

 

 

<Begin Rant>

Twin Cities Radio: (or what there is of it)  Thank you capitalism.  Your need to cater to the largest market has pretty much killed any innovation and any chance for a true "alternative" music selection.  And what the hell is up with all this "retro" crap?  I tell you when the Rev died, it spelled the end of radio in the Twin Cities (except for a few bastions of resistance such as KFAI and Radio K).  Commercial radio is like MTV, all commercials, little content, minimal community involvement (or betterment), and bland music

Long live the Revolution!


</End Rant>