iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 14h

Nice: now we'll have an even bigger company to completely ignore people right after they enroll, like HealthPartners did to me when I enrolled this year. The only communication I ever got was a confirmation number when I made my first month's payment. They've completely ghosted me since then.

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

An identical oops from a long time ago, this time with #StarWars books. This and that other are the only two times I've done this

Star Wars books, and some others, including two copies of Republic Commando: Triple Zero

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Oops. #Dune novels duplicity. Out of Navigators, Sisterhood and Mentats, I was almost certain one of those I still needed, but wasn't sure which. Looking (not carefully enough) through pictures of the books stored in the locker, it looked like I needed Mentats. I actually had all three

Mentats of Dune, purchased a few weeks ago

From one of the pictures of books stored in the locker taken quite some time ago, including...

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Been a while since I've seen it. Got the DVD back in the early 2000s...when the future had, at that point, become the past www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNeV...

youtube.com

Thompson Twins - Lies (Official Video) (4K Remaster)

YouTube video by Thompson Twins

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Maybe I'll play this one tonight; it's been a while. And maybe the other two while I'm at it. And maybe The Other Two while I'm at it

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

A band to explore further. The new[?] album, More, seems interesting; I might pick this one up

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

My favorite song on this album, and one of my favorite CT songs , is "Ella Megalast Burls Forever". Ideal, as is a lot of CT songs, for wandering around here:

Enger Park in Duluth; fall colors, Oct 2023

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Got this and "Best Of" back in the '90s. Filled out the Waterboys discography a bit more in recent years, after finally getting around to looking up "that other song" I first learned in 1993 and assumed (correctly) was on Dream Harder ("Glastonbury Song")

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Oh: here they are: bsky.app/profile/high... bsky.app/profile/high...

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Got those recently. Talk Talk is now what's called a Completed Discography(tm) in my album collection. Also those have all gotten recent reissues; upgraded The Colour of Spring (the tape I got in 1994 was ratty). There's a B-sides/non-album tracks compilation called "Asides Besides" I'm after

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

An evergreen pleasure: deleting a title off the get-it list that was on there since the early/mid-2000s The numbers are priority key: 1 = low; 2 = medium; 3 = high; 4 = top #ClassicAlternative

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Nowhere Man You're living in a nowhereland Nowhere Man You're making plans for Nigel

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

In the tradition of album art depictions to nerd out over, some #ClassicAlternative Goodness obtained lately (Edition No. 19 it looks like)

Go-Go's - Talk Show
The Specials - The Specials
The Church - Remote Luxury
Bauhaus: The Sky's Gone Out
Sonic Youth - Goo
Dead Can Dance - Dead Can Dance [+ Garden Of The Arcane Delights]
Dead Can Dance - Aion
Echo & The Bunnymen - Crocodiles
The Alarm - Strength
Red Hot Chili Peppers - What Hits!?
Corey Hart - Fields Of Fire
Double - Dou3le

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

If you're representing officials running for election and are displaying the #RebelLoon you have my immediate and at least initial support. Choosing to condemn all this mistreatment of and thuggery toward immigrants and be in solidarity on this matter goes a hell of a long way with me

Representing Matt Little for Congress, in the 2026 Burnsville Fire Muster Parade

Representing Minnesota DFL, in the 2026 Burnsville Fire Muster Parade

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

The Sep 12 Event Three-Pack, the second of the #StPaul Festival Two-Pack only 20 blocks away: Selby Avenue Jazzfest

Selby Avenue Jazzfest in St. Paul, community market and exhibits

Selby Avenue Jazzfest in St. Paul, main stage

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

The Sep 12 Event Three-Pack, Event Two: the first of a #StPaul Festival Two-Pack. A non-drinker goes to #Oktoberfest. Might not be into beer, but am very much into Käzerspätzle

St. Paul Oktoberfest at the Germanic-American Institute

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

An Event THREE-PACK for Sep 12! First: Let's Have a Parade! The #Burnsville Fire Muster Parade. I said last year the festival itself is perpetually off the table and it still is. But the parade is absolutely a go

Burnsville High School football team, it appears

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Eight one, eighty two, eighty three, EIGHTYYY FOURRR The name of this album suggest a best-of or a compilation. Nope: it's the title track "Somebody Up There Likes Me": one of many Simple Minds instrumentals. The Great Big Music for the Great Big Countryside

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

This is EXACTLY what I meant by "not much good goes on at fairs later at night." It was just before 10pm on 9-5, and anyone could have been victimized by this. I was there this day but had already left; this sort of thing is why www.twincities.com/2026/09/09/m... www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/ne...

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Was there and off-the-charts stoked bsky.app/profile/high...

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Let's say what it really is: these budget-priced properties attract RIFF-RAFF. Frustrating for us who go just to stay in a hotel. I've actually stayed here once (see dates) and somebody was howling like a banshee half the night kstp.com/kstp-news/to...

Reservation from 2018 for the Super 8 hotel on James Circle in Brooklyn Center, MN

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Last year there was some apparel I was considering getting, but after finishing my falafel bowl and going back, everybody had just finished closing for the night. The plan became: go back next year and see if there was this seller + the same or similar item. Did this last week and scored it

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

🧵2026 #MNStateFair on Sep 5 Going by past experience, not much good happens at fairs after ~9pm, and most things close for the night around then anyway. And I'm not going anywhere near the midway due to too many negative experiences in the past. Wrapped up the night at the International Bazaar

Performance at the bandshell at the International Bazaar

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

2026 #MNStateFair on Aug 29 The Awesome Knit Headwear Montage 2

The second montage of awesome knit headwear: 6 main examples and a good-size additional assortment

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

2026 #MNStateFair on Aug 29 And here's where things truly get serious: The Awesome Knit Headwear Montage 1, and a bonus

The first montage of awesome knit headwear: 9 examples and a bonus Rebel Loon

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

2026 #MNStateFair on Aug 29 And now, the all-important knit headwear. First, the Pre-Show

An assortment of way-cool knit headwear, on a tree display

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

2026 #MNStateFair on Aug 29 and Sep 5 An assortment of knit apparel and items, and yarn work. Also featured is a citation of that one instance where #StPaul gets dissed, which led to the creation of #WinterCarnival

Knit apparel and items, with a Blue theme

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

2026 #MNStateFair on Aug 29 More creative arts protesting thuggery and recognizing Minnesotan solidarity. Rightfully labeled "occupation" here, and not "crackdown". The word "crackdown" carries undercurrents of legitimacy, and there was nothing whatsoever legitimate with this thuggery

Protesting thuggery and recognizing Minnesotan solidarity through creative arts

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

2026 #MNStateFair on Aug 29 I absolutely dig this every which way and then some

We had many useful things, not the least of which was Grl Pwr

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

2026 #MNStateFair on Aug 29 And some more of the exhibit protesting thuggery and recognizing Minnesotan solidarity

Protesting thuggery and recognizing Minnesotan solidarity. They had ... slippery shoes?

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Clarification: a JUDICIAL warrant

Another look at the red headwear and additional creative arts goodness

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

🧵2026 #MNStateFair on Aug 29 This style of headwear is one thing I would have liked to have joined in on, as a solidarity act, at the #NoKings protest on March 28, if I had known about it far enough ahead of time. I had only a cursory awareness of it beforehand; ditto with the #RebelLoon

Exhibit protesting all the thuggery that has gone on earlier in the year, by means of creative arts; most notably here, the red knit headwear with the tassels

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

2026 #MNStateFair on Sep 5 Inside the DNR Building. It's simple: don't be a goon. Be a...you know. And you get TWO choices! It looks like the #MNUFC one assists the DNR as well

Some of the many specialty license plates available here in MN. These ones benefit the DNR

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Saw them on both visits this year. I have pictures forthcoming, once I get them prepped. Here's some from last year: bsky.app/profile/high...

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

From 8-27: this is roughly along the lines of things I used to build. Cardboard and the like: one of the perfect modeling materials

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

🧵2026 #MNStateFair on Sep 5 View this with red/cyan 3D glasses; red on the left. Disclaimer: I didn't have any on hand and wasn't able to verify how well this worked

Red/cyan 3D anaglyph of a model of a house reminiscent of Fallingwater

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

🧵2026 #MNStateFair on Sep 5 Eco Experience Progress Center aka "the sewer is not a convenient abyss for disposing of things" and many more goodies

The water tower on the northeast side of the grounds, looking through the clerestory inside the Eco Experience Progress Center

Inside the Eco Experience Progress Center

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

I got this in 1990 before I had substantially started collecting albums. And Pet Shop Boys is one of those "alternative" artists that was at least on the radar before I was even into popular music at all

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Additional arts/crafts at this exhibit

Crocheted figurines with bees/honey/pollination theme

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

🧵2026 #MNStateFair on Sep 5 Missed this last week in the bees and honey exhibit in the Ag Hort building. This (and one or two other things) are loosely inspiring some apparel I've had an idea about; I had outerwear in mind

Just visible on the left: a "2nd place" ribbon

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

2026 #MNStateFair on Sep 5 Rory!! Got to see her for the first time and of course I begin bouncing off the walls (doing WHAT??) -- some @mnaurorafc.bsky.social fun. And just before was Jack Brass Band: they were Entrant E Plus Sixteen at the Ted Bearth Grande Parade at #Oakdale Summerfest

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Haa! Just one letter off from the Enchanted Word

Pounce: the U of M Morris mascot, and sporting some pretty schweet headwear

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

🧵2026 #MNStateFair on Sep 5 Goldy, and the U of M Duluth mascot, Champ There was photo-op time. A disadvantage of not having the benefit of companions is no photographer; I had to go without

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

The vendor with the "Stinger" coffee went straight onto the blacklist. 1: I didn't wait in a long like to get yelled!! at, including in writing 2: 33% higher price for 25% more product ($9 for 16oz; $12 for 20oz). Folks, this math isn't mathin'

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

🧵2026 #MNStateFair on Sep 5 The apple fries, a new food this year, have been much hyped and rightfully so. The line looked fearsome but it wasn't much more than 30 minutes. You can get them with whipped cream on the side in addition to the caramel: "deluxe" ($13) vs "classic" ($10)

The Apple Fries vendor, with a small part of the line out front (it went around the corner and in front of the Visitors Plaza)

Apple Fries: fried apple slices, cinnamon+sugar tossed, served with caramel sauce non-viscous enough to be dippable

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

2026 #MNStateFair on Aug 29 Vote Here!--for WHAT??? At the Christmas hall in the Ag Hort Bldg. It says in quite small print on the box with the beads. There were a few of these, for different subjects (trees, wreaths, etc), around the hall

Tubes, in which you placed a bead, to vote for your favorite...I think this one was for the wreaths

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HighLevelMaker @highlevelmaker.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

2026 #MNStateFair on Aug 29 Looking up into the central tower above the rotunda in the Agriculture Horticulture Building and Below the tower

Floral exhibit at the Agriculture Horticulture Building central rotunda

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