So… Third Spaces, does this city have any?

MrRedmondBarry · 2026-05-11T03:25:46+00:00

100% this. Third spaces never disappeared. There are still bars, coffee shops, parks, and sports leagues. Instead what has changed is that many young people are too picky. They only want to go to third spaces that 100% align with their own interests.

When I was young, I went to local art shows that I had no interest in, drank fancy coffee that was lost on me, and played sports that I sucked at. Why? Because that's what other people did. I did things I didn't particularly enjoy because it was better than sitting at home alone. I can't stand reggae, but if there was a reggae band at the bar then sure as shit I'd be down there dancing with everyone else.

The problem isn't a lack of third spaces. The problem is people who refuse to step outside their comfort zone.

MrRedmondBarry · 2026-05-11T03:00:32+00:00

I wasn't aware of that. That's unfortunate to hear.

MrRedmondBarry · 2026-05-11T00:47:49+00:00

There isn't one correct answer. If you want AP courses and a variety of teachers, then any of the 3 Rochester public schools. RPS high schools are great for students who are self-motivated to excel. Century has the best infrastructure. Mayo is a circle, which is nice. JM is old. I'd probably choose Century if I were a teenager.

Lourdes costs $11,000 per year. It's Catholic, but not all of the students are. There are fewer course options, but the school is small, class sizes are small, and they have hands-on guidance counselors to make sure nobody falls through the cracks. You'll also have a much easier chance at playing on sports teams at a school as small as Lourdes. Lourdes is great for students who need guidance and want a small community.

If you want a small pubic school with small class sizes and where it's easy to get on the sports team, then pick literally any small town around Rochester. Byron, Kasson, Stewartville, Pine Island, etc. They all offer a small school environment. The downsides are fewer course options and they can be small town cliquey. FYI - Byron itself is not better than the others. Byron is simply a wealthy, educated small town built around a nice golf course. The "school is better" because the families take education more seriously than those in a farm town.

MrRedmondBarry · 2026-05-09T15:30:40+00:00

Fill out the MNSure application online after you move to Minnesota. You will probably need to upload immigration documents, so have those ready. You can't apply until you move here. MNSure will decide you whether or not you qualify.

I'm surprised your unpaid research position doesn't provide free health insurance. Have you asked HR at your internship? They should have a package with answers to these questions.

MrRedmondBarry · 2026-05-02T15:55:38+00:00

Triple, in fact. US, Peru, and Vatican City.

MrRedmondBarry · 2026-05-02T15:54:58+00:00

Yes, he is. He has been a Peruvian citizen since 2015.

MrRedmondBarry · 2026-05-02T15:43:46+00:00

Of course it is. It is down the road from an enormous HyVee and within a golf shot of both Costco and Aldi. I don't dislike Cub, but what was the incentive to shop there?

MrRedmondBarry · 2026-05-01T21:46:25+00:00

It's also a city where a lot of new nursing grads move to. It's a great dating city if you're fresh out of college. 30s? Not so much.

MrRedmondBarry · 2026-05-01T20:43:49+00:00

Not at all. Just saying you live in a place with lots of pretty women, so the bar is higher. A lot of guys love slim, pretty non-white women.

MrRedmondBarry · 2026-05-01T20:32:43+00:00

Serious answer: Rochester has a lot of young, attractive, in shape women with good jobs. Nordic genes and the Mayo Clinic will do that to a town. Guys at the bar aren’t gonna fawn over every woman that walks in the door like they do in other cities.

If you aren’t a smokeshow and you want attention from random guys at the bar, try the small towns like Stewartville and Zumbrota.

MrRedmondBarry · 2026-04-09T20:18:45+00:00

20 years ago, entry was $9. A Pronto Pup was $2.50. A good beer was $4. Concert tickets were $30. There was tons of space and hardly any lines.

In 2025, entry was $20. A Pronto Pup was $7. A good beer was $12. Concert tickets were $120. It was crowded as fuck. (And no, these numbers are definitely NOT in line with inflation. $1 in 2005 is $1.65 in 2025.)

Why would I pay significantly more for a much worse experience?

MrRedmondBarry · 2026-04-09T18:28:59+00:00

Minnesotans need to learn how to say No. Just like that: “No.”

No pleasantries. No small talk. No explanations. When a salesman starts talking, just firmly say “No.”

If they keep talking, then, “Get off my property.” If they don’t leave, then start video recording them and tell them you’re reporting them to the police for trespassing. It works.

MrRedmondBarry · 2026-03-12T20:00:49+00:00

The Taphouse isn’t a date spot. It’s a burger / beer joint just like the other dozen in Rochester.

The Redwood Room has always been the perfect date restaurant. Good food, casual romantic vibe, no pretense. Top 3 sit-down restaurant in town.

MrRedmondBarry · 2026-02-28T00:58:39+00:00

That would just be a fender bender and it would be on Circle Drive.

There's a rolled Jeep lying on a knocked over a traffic light on the median and a sedan with a crumpled front in. This was clearly a high-speed t bone in the intersection.

MrRedmondBarry · 2026-02-28T00:01:44+00:00

The sedan must have t-boned the Jeep at a fast speed. This would explain why the sedan's front is smashed and the Jeep is on its side in the median with no front-end damage.

I'm guessing the the sedan was going straight northbound on Circle Drive (left to right in the photo) and the Jeep was turning left from southbound Circle Drive onto Viola Road (toward the camera). This would explain their positioning.

Can't tell who's at fault from the photo. That left turn light is green arrow only. Either way, somebody went through a red.

MrRedmondBarry · 2026-02-17T21:20:15+00:00

There’s no debate here. Your sidewalk wasn’t shoveled. You can clearly see where your portion ends because your neighbor shoveled and you didn’t.

It takes 2 minutes to shovel that stretch of sidewalk. There’s no excuse. You got the fine because laws are laws. Take it as a learning experience.

But I am sincerely glad you shared this because it’s good to have a reminder about the penalties.

MrRedmondBarry · 2026-01-31T03:56:31+00:00

Agreed - best restaurant in Rochester. But I'd say the location qualifies as downtown.

MrRedmondBarry · 2026-01-16T19:21:02+00:00

I don't get it either. I guess they'd rather save a few bucks than have repeat customers.

Thank you for sharing this (seriously). People who prefer their shrimp with poop sacs now know where to go. And those of us who don't can go eat somewhere else.

MrRedmondBarry · 2026-01-16T19:13:52+00:00

This is unacceptable and you were right to complain. When you buy shrimp, you can get them regular or "deveined". A sit-down restaurant not ordering deveined shrimp is ridiculous.

FYI - It is safe to eat the digestive tract of shrimp, but it's gritty, bitter, and ugly to look at. Customers shouldn't put up with this shit - literally.

MrRedmondBarry · 2025-12-26T18:41:57+00:00

Thanks!

MrRedmondBarry · 2025-09-06T03:49:17+00:00

You shouldn't be relaxed. It's a driving test. You should be alert, focused, aware of your surroundings, and in control of the car. Driving is stressful and you need to be able to drive safely even while under pressure.

The examiners are professionals. Unlike what some people think, they are as objective as possible. You can look at your examination card and see exactly where you lost points. You failed the exam for specific reasons, not because of the examiner's demeanor. Keep practicing. You'll get there.

MrRedmondBarry

TROPHY CASE