We had a great time on Sunday bowling with the Minnesota Swarm lacrosse team at Brunswick Bowl in Lakeville. Thanks to the Arlotta family for putting together such a great family event for season ticket holders and to the players and staff for making the day so much fun. We had free pizza and soda, played a bunch of games and got a chance to hang out with several players, especially No. 5, Josh Funk, who really went out of his way to make the girls’ day. He remembered them from the first two home games, at which the girls dressed up in Swarm gear and painted their faces. Our seats right next to the home penalty box give the girls plenty of time during the game to visit with Josh (grin). During a lull in the action, Josh came up to Jesse and Allie and asked them if they wanted to bowl with him, and big sister Katie joined in the fun. Jesse said that Josh is her new favorite player, at least while Travis Hill is injured. Katie won Josh’s game jersey in the silent auction and got him to autograph it. Jesse won a Travis Hill game jersey. I think all three girls had a good time with the Swarm. Thanks again, John and Andy, for putting together such a classy organization. And thanks to all of the players who really made the fans feel special today.

We had a great time at the Minnesota Swarm game last night (the photos above were taken from our primo seats on the glass at midfield). It was American Indian Heritage Night, so we got a chance to visit with friends from the local Indian community, watch an exhibition of the traditional game by the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin at halftime, and enjoy traditional songs and dances. Thanks to the Swarm for recognizing the roots of the game in American Indian tradition and celebrating the origins of the Creator’s Game with respect.

The Swarm played a tough game against the Mammoth, but lost in sudden death overtime. It was a tough loss, but I thought the team played well most of the night. I expect great things from the Swarm this season, especially with the addition of former Dukie Zack “Section 88″ Greer to the roster. You can’t go wrong with a Blue Devil on the team!

We had Ojibwe class today at Dakota Ridge School in ISD196. We have culture and language classes every other Saturday. Today, we heard the Ojibwe flood story and learned vocabulary words related to the story beforehand (using the Smart Board and games). It was a blast — a multi-generational class made up of students from many different tribes and some non-native guests. We followed up class with traditional crafts — today we made necklaces, bracelets and chokers out of sinew, beads and shells. Our teacher, James Vukelich, is a real treasure and has melded technology and traditional teachings in a way that makes students want to learn. His teaching style makes what could be a tough language to master accessible to students of all ages. Chi-miigwetch, James.

There have been a lot of kooky misinformation and wild conspiracy theories going around in the American Indian community about H1N1 and the public health response. This is not a manufactured health crisis created by the feds to control Indian people. C’mon, folks, let’s take off the tin-foil hats. There are plenty of reasons to distrust the federal government, lord knows. But this isn’t one of them. Don’t gamble with your life or the lives of your loved ones. As Wes Studi says in the videos above: Get your shot. Wash your hands. And if you get sick, take medicine – and protect the circle of life.

From BuffaloPost.net:

Last week, the federal Centers for Disease Control released a report that detailed what everybody already knew. In the dozen states studied, Native people made up 9 percent of the deaths from H1N1, even though they only constitute 3.3 percent of the population.

Now the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has releaesed a video, urging Native people to get vaccinated against H1N1.

Wes Studi, the Cherokee actor from “Avatar,” “The Only Good Indian,” and “Dances With Wolves,” urges people to “take three” to protect themselves.

Get your shot. Wash your hands. And if you get sick, take medicine – and protect the circle of life.

Tell it, Wes. We must protect our health.

May the lord strike me dead if I am lying...

Getting a lot of messages these days from something called Friend FAQ on Facebook. It asks people questions about me, tells me the answers then wants to charge me “50 coins” to find out who gave the answers. I had to laugh at some of the questions and responses. Here they are, with the purported answers and my corrections. So if any of you are curious and want the real scoop, read on:

Do you think that Art Coulson has ever mooned someone?
No (Heh. You obviously have never seen me after one too many beers)
Do you think that Art Coulson would secretly fart in public?
No  (Ehhhhhhh. Sorry, wrong answer. I ONLY do so secretly)
Would Art Coulson make a good spouse?
Yes (Thanks, hon)
Do you think that Art Coulson is a slacker?
Yes (Correct!)
Do you think that Art Coulson is cute?
Yes (Thanks, sis)
Do you think that Art Coulson is a liar?
Yes (Correct! But only to those I love when I think it will keep me out of trouble…)

I can't see a freaking thing! I knew I should have wiped off my windshield! /Photo originally posted on Flickr by woodleywonderworks

From KARE-11 TV:

MINNEAPOLIS — Hellacious might be a good term to describe road conditions across Minnesota Thursday morning and afternoon. ‘Brutal’ would also be fitting.
Between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m the Minnesota State Patrol reported 413 property damage crashes(27 of them rollovers) and 62 personal injury crashes, none of them serious.
Safety officials were not immune to the fender bending, either. At least one State Trooper was hit on I-35 near Forest Lake, and two MnDot snowplows were also struck by commuters.
Troopers responded to 280 vehicles that left the roadway, mostly due to slippery conditions caused by fresh snow on glare ice. A MnDot spokesman called it “the worst winter driving day of the season.”

So we got that going for us … which is nice.

This video made me guffaw. Thanks @RezBomb for letting us know about it.