TimFreeland.com - Whats going on with this guy?

My photo and video galleries

Tim Freeland — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 08:31:44 -0700

Northfield-Dundas road marking failure

Tim Freeland — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 10:55:40 -0700

Knowing there is nothing planned for the empty field to it's north, the new road markings at the Mendards in Dundas lead traffic into a curb.

I share my June 1st birthday with a lifelong friend, Chris Blomberg

Tim Freeland — Sun, 31 May 2009 12:08:36 -0700

My next door neighbor growing up in Northfield was Chris Blomberg. He and I share June 1st as our birthday. Tomorrow he turns 34 and I turn 36. We always had a ton of fun with this, including some grand parties when we lived together in Minneapolis. We have always made efforts to get together or do something special together on this special day that we share.

This morning he randomly showed up at my front door on his bike. He lives about 45 minutes away and I hadn’t seen him in many months. He was in town for a family event and was going for a spin and decided to drop by. This was such a great present.

Happy birthday Chris!

The other Andrew Freeland landscaper

Tim Freeland — Fri, 29 May 2009 17:42:07 -0700

By AL FREELAND

Andrew was born in southwestern Norway. What else did a person do in Southwestern Norway but fish or farm – period! He was born in a little town of Bryne – today still a little town of about 500 people. Outside of the town is a little wooden church called Time (pronounce Teem’ a) Lutheran. I was there about 10 years ago and saw the baptismal font he was baptized in, and the pews that he sat in, and the graveyard his ancestors were buried in. The thread of time and history and ancestry is small, but strong. I felt pulled there and could feel the connections the “thread” was pulling. The following is the Time “Crest” or “Coat of Arms”. (click on the head title to read on)

The Gravestone, ancestor Ole Apland was a legend

Tim Freeland — Wed, 27 May 2009 12:56:17 -0700

ALAN FREELAND

Ole Apland was a legend! He came from Norway in 1855, he landed in Canada, took a train to Illinois, and then a wagon train – yes literally a horse drawn wagon train across the prairie to Story County, Iowa. He fell in love with a cute girl named Anna Ersland who was a passenger in the wagon train as well. They became the first couple to be married in Story County, Iowa. He homesteaded his 160 acres and eventually became a wealthy pioneer, acquiring a lot of land in Story County and wealth, and eventually we all became his ancestors.

What you just read was a SUPER summary of the entire life a pioneer that could be a feature length, trilogy, movie, novel, and/or a lifetime of study! What I want to focus on is just one fact of his life – actually his death. One very small, insignificant perhaps fact. (click title heading to read on)

Grandma Esta Freeland-Cox | the gift of quilt

Tim Freeland — Mon, 25 May 2009 18:57:02 -0700

My Grandma Esta Freeland-Cox has spent many many hours with a quilting needle in her hands during her 96 years. It’s been a source of entertainment, socialization and crafting for years. When I was very young Grandma Esta told me that I’d receive a hand made quilt some day when I graduated from high school. She simply asked me what color I wanted. Under pressure and completely unaware of the longevity of this decision, I said “yellow” for some reason. I hated yellow then, and still do today. BUT…when I graduated from Northfield High School in 1991, there was my quilt on the gift table, sealed for freshness in a plastic covering. Each of her grandchildren received a hand sewn quilt at graduation as their gift. There were five of us. Mine was yellow.

I recently realized that I have slept with this quilt off and on for eighteen years since graduation. This included all of college and in five different homes. So, last week I laid the quilt out on the bed, as seen in the photo, and carefully studied the patterns and reminisced on all of the years that this piece has served me. I ran across her little tag that is sewn onto each of her creations. Click on it to see the larger view. It says “Specially Fashioned by Esta Cox”. Why did it take me eighteen years to see this? I guess we take tags for granted.

Last week I asked grandma about the material on the floral patterns. She explained that she had stockpiles of materials in her collection from years of setting aside pieces of clothing and cloth samples of interest. She even thought some used in my quilt were from her mothers collection. Although she could not identify any particular piece of cloth in particular, she did indicate that any old piece could have been anything from her maternity clothing to her mom’s Sunday church outfit.

How’s that for lasting quality.

D.O.A College House, University of Minnesota 1994 -The Glory Year

Tim Freeland — Sun, 24 May 2009 14:13:37 -0700

So what in the world is the story here? Well..here is a legend of unprecedented party-house leadership that led to hazy memories for thousands. This is the story of my college-life glory year at an off campus house at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis MN.

While my best friend Chad and I were living in the college dormitory, we couldn’t get into any of the “fraternity” parties to save our life. Let’s be honest, why would the frat-boys want to invite a bunch of guys to their parties. So, we’d walk down University avenue, trying to get into the hopping parties but wouldn’t be allowed in because we weren’t “brothers”. So, we made our own fraternity. The next year, we rented the biggest, baddest house we could find closest to frat-row and named it “D.O.A”, which of course, was a sarcastic take on the medical term D.O.A. for “dead on arrival”. We even found an old boat decking at a flea-market, painted our name on it and distressed it to taste. It hung over the fireplace. (notice the photo of a visit from my parents. Don’t I look so innocent in my 90’s grunge flannel and pony tail). We wanted to have our own little fraternity where everyone was welcome that wanted to have a good time. We actually considered prohibiting fraternity members, but decided against that, because it was against our house motto of having a good time…..all the time. (click story title to keep reading)

Visit all 12 Northfield's in the US

Tim Freeland — Fri, 22 May 2009 06:37:27 -0700

How about a road trip to all 12 Northfield's across the US? Doesn't make you feel very exclusive, does it?

Northfield, CT
Northfield, IL
Northfield, IN
Northfield, KY
Northfield, ME
Northfield, MA
Northfield, MN
Northfield, NH
Northfield, NJ
Northfield, OH
Northfield, VT
Northfield, WI

View Northfield's in a larger map

Greazy Meal at the Cabooze in Minneapolis

Tim Freeland — Wed, 20 May 2009 05:44:59 -0700

I just can’t write enough about this band in one post. They were the house band at the Cabooze on the West Bank in Minneapolis in the 90’s. They put on one of the best live shows on the face of the earth. The members were a collaborative gathering of from many other successful acts such as Price, Mambo’s Combo, Beat the Clock & Paul Westerberg.

Check out a video. (strong language warning for your ears). Website is www.greazymeal.com

'Tech Talk with Tim and Adam' ...Social networking!

Tim Freeland — Sun, 17 May 2009 19:48:53 -0700

This is Tech Talk with Tim and Adam, a weekly radio program on helpful tips and tricks for the common computer user, broadcast on 1080AM KYMN Radio out of Northfield Minnesota. You can listen to a copy of these shows at here, can podcast or just listen live weekly at 11AM on Friday's, rebroadcast at 5:30 Sunday nights. Tim Freeland is KYMN host and webmaster along with Adam Gurno, software developer and owner of Brown Dog Computers, ready to inform, discuss and teach you better and new ways to use computers and the internet to improve your quality of life.

Click the arrow to listen to the show!

Rylie's Kindergarten project book - A month by month art recap

Tim Freeland — Sun, 17 May 2009 19:43:35 -0700

Open publication - Free publishing - More rylie

Rylies year end Kindergarten program (video of singing)

Tim Freeland — Sat, 09 May 2009 06:21:12 -0700

Congrats to Rylie for a great first year in public school! I see she also has a potential career in singing and dancing.

View other videos from this concert here!

10 comments on this photo of Andy and I from fishing opener 1981

Tim Freeland — Fri, 08 May 2009 18:03:09 -0700

1. If I could have that waist line now!

2. Is that a 1978 green “Vega”?

3. What’s in my pants?

4. Where are those fish now?

5. Nice effort Andy!

6. Who picked out my cloths that day?

7. It took 6 months to develop this film (marked with NOV 81 in bottom left)

8. Those are most likely Bullheads.

9. Maroon socks?

10. Chances are Andy caught all of these fish.

Many ask what my favoite movie of all time is...and this is it

Tim Freeland — Thu, 07 May 2009 17:26:13 -0700

I've seen thousands and thousands of movies. People often discuss their favorite movies, which can be a daunting task. In 1999 I found my favorite movie, "Magnolia". It features a half dozen of my favorite actors and a top-notch writer/director. Here is the trailer, which doesn't do the movie justice. Go rent it, sit back, and be ready trade 3 hours for the movie of a life time.

'Tech Talk with Tim and Adam' my first radio show on KYMN Radio

Tim Freeland — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:13:02 -0700

Click the arrow to listen to the show!

Mashing two songs together that sound alike. Check this out

Tim Freeland — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 19:48:01 -0700

I heard this new song "Drowning (Face Down)" 2008 by Saving Abel this week. I immediately started to sing Badlees "Fear of Falling" 1995 over the top of it. So, I used my trusty Audacity audio editor and Vegas Studio video editor to put this little display together. This was my first attempt at using both together.

The best words a Dad could hear

Tim Freeland — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 18:01:07 -0700

I few weeks ago I took my daughter Rylie to the Mall of America during the day for a father-daughter outing. I had taken off the day and she was on spring break. We went to eat at the "Rainforest Cafe" and then to the "Underwater World Adventures" then to the "Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park". This used to be the old "Camp Snoopy". We started on a few rides and eventually landed on the log roller coaster. This is the one where the log/boat floats throughout the ride and you end in a watery fall. Well, we rode this one so many times, the operators almost knew us by name. We knew every turn and when every creepy dude would jump out. Oh, we also got more and more wet as the day went on.

Well, as we were walking out to the ramp to go home, Rylie was holding my hand and said "Dad, this has been the best day of my whole life". I replied, "life will only get better and better too." It was a great day!

2009 VFW Easter Egg Hunt at St Olaf

Tim Freeland — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 09:40:07 -0700

It was almost a perfect morning for the 64th annual VFW Easter egg hunt. Just think....those who partook in the first hunt are now in their 70's. I'd like you to watch this film. Watch for frame 313 where the fatal mistake is made when the first child jumps the gun and begins the rush up the grassy knoll before the siren is sounded. This creates chaos as each child must decide their fateful future...leave early with everyone else, or wait until the siren and miss out on any candy. What happens? Well...everyone goes, but the hesitation creates clear gaps where the front kids get all and the back kids get nothing, including our girls. Zero!

Untitled from Tim Freeland on Vimeo.

I cut my thumb off

Tim Freeland — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 16:52:55 -0700

This was hilarious. I need to be more careful when cutting veggies. We all played with the little thumb nub and had a good laugh. We even let the pup have a turn.

From Bloody fingers

Worst 'first pitch' in the history of baseball

Tim Freeland — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 12:57:26 -0700

Baseball starts in just two days. So, it's time to bring out my favorite "first pitch" clip. See, I always wondered how I'd do under the pressure of throwing one pitch in front of a major league team and audience watching. I understand that some might short hop it, but this is ridiculous. I'll never get sick of this! I laugh so hard every time.

Magic Show at the Northfield Public Library a success

Tim Freeland — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 06:54:01 -0700

Thanks to everyone who showed up for my magic show at the Library. We had a great turn out of around 140 enthusiastic kids and parents!

Tim Freeland family grows to five

Tim Freeland — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 11:30:54 -0700

Yes, we did it! We got a dog. I fought it for years after the hard times with my last dog experience, but just couldn't resist. I'm a dog guy at heart.

Lori and I threw out the idea of getting a smaller dog and I have always like the Bichon breed. So, Lori punches the name into Google and picks a link with puppies and sends to me. She had no idea she had chosen a breeder that happens to live in Northfield. I went out on my own at first. After bringing Lori back, we both picked out the same dog immediately but didn't indicate this to each other at first. There was a larger sweet female and was very mellow and not hyper like some of the others in the litter. This is the third time I've picked a dog on a quite puppy temperament and it seems to always work out. So, we made the 14 year, $7,240 to $12,700 plunge.

Bischon-Frise are gentle mannered, sensitive, playful, affectionate and have a cheerful attitude. Their temperament makes them a perfect pet for children. Their life span is approximately 12 to 15 years.

Based of a Seinfeld episode where George talks about naming a child the number "Seven", I wanted to name our female puppy "Five" representing my fifth dog and the fifth family member in our home, but that didn't fly, so we quickly named her Mia Five Freeland.

Caught on video - how many times have you seen this with your own eyes?

Tim Freeland — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 05:53:02 -0700

Ok, maybe not so unique, but I was lucky enough to look down AND have my camera in hand, turned on, and driving down a road with no other cars in the vicinity (and set to video mode).

My Grand Prix Turning 100,000 miles from Tim Freeland on Vimeo.

My Grand Prix Turning 100,000 miles

St Patty Day parade 2009 - shortest parade ever

Tim Freeland — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 13:47:34 -0700

Aerial view of my stomping grounds in Northfield, August 1985

Tim Freeland — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 17:37:23 -0800

I ran across this very special photo today. It captures all that is nostalgia for me. These are the streets that spent my time on as a kid. Born in 1973, I was probably out there on my biking during this shot. Actually, I think I see a bunch of us in Chris Swenson's driveway. You must look at the captioned version before looking at the supersized version. The "jumps" was an empty set of lots where all the kids wrode their bike, made racetracks and jumped their bikes.

Click the photo to go to the special "captioned" version. Then click here to see the enormous version.