Neighbor #13

Neighbor #13 was a brooding barista at Starbucks. I waited patiently while he thought and thought about doing this or not.

Where do you live?
"Minneapolis. Next question."

What do you do?
"Work here at Starbucks. I'm a senior at the U. I am a writer. Next question."

If you could have any super power, what would it be?
"I'd want to be Magneto." At my blank look, he repeated, "Magneto. From the X-Men? His super power was the ability to manipulate magnetism. Next."

In three adjectives, how would you describe yourself?
"I'm intellectual, over-analytical, and a mama's boy."

What's your favorite city or town?
"San Francisco."

If you won the Powerball, what would be the first thing you'd do?
"Isn't it up to $25 million? I'd give my mom $5 million dollars. Whatever 20% is. Next question."

[I had to wait a couple of minutes while he steamed up a grande vanilla skim latte.]

"We done yet? No? Next."

In three words, how would you describe the United States?
"Interesting. Yes... We're opportunistic. We're a superpower. And we're targeted."

Do you own a gun? If not, would you?
"No. No."

Who is your favorite movie star?
"Gary Oldman."

What's the strangest thing you own?
"A cockatiel."

What's your favorite restaurant in Minneapolis?
"Sawatdee's."

Can you dance?
"No."

If you were to be abducted, would you rather be an alien or ghost?
"I don't believe in either." When asked to please choose one over the other, he threw up his hands and said, "Oh I don't know. An alien."

How are you doing today?
"Alright."

His question was: What's your deepest, darkest secret?
"I haven't always been faithful."

When I asked to take his picture, he balked and said, "No way." No? No way? He said, "No. Way." When told that his head could be cropped out, he relented. I snapped the photo. He demanded to see the digital camera results.

Neighbor #11 and #12

When I asked if I could take a survey of them, Neighbor #11 giggled. Neighbor #12 frowned. Then she shrugged her shoulders."Why not. Not doing anything else."



Where do you live?
#11: "South Minneapolis, by crosstown."
#12: "South Minneapolis."

What do you do?
#11: "I'm retired."
#12: "Retired."

If you could have any super power, what would it be?
#11: She giggled. "Well, I wish I had more energy."
#12: "Ambition."

In three adjectives, how would you describe yourself?
#11: She looked at her friend. "Three adjectives. Oh my goodness." She turned to me, then to her friend again. Then to me. "That's it. That's all I have right now."
#12: "Old. Slow. Lazy"

What's your favorite city or town?
#11: "I liked Aurora, Colorado quite a bit."
#12: "Minneapolis."

If you won the Powerball, what would be the first thing you'd do?
#11: "Well, I'd go on a trip. Yes. And I'd give some to the poor."
#12: "I'd take out my friends. And I'd divide some for the poor."

In three words, how would you describe the United States?
#11: "It's the best place to live as far as I'm concerned. Yes I do believe. And..." she looked at her friend.
#12: "Distressed. We're agressive," she finished.

Do you own a gun? If not, would you?
#11: "Oh no. No."
#12: "No, no."

Who is your favorite movie star?
#11: "Oh, I like Bill Crosby. And Kate Hepburn."
#12: "Bette Davis. I like Kate Hepburn too."

What's the strangest thing you own?
#11: "I collect Snowdins from Target."
#12: "I have two old-fashioned egg beaters." Her friend nodded.

What's your favorite restaurant in Minneapolis?
#11: "Olive Garden."
#12: "I like Olive Garden too."

Can you dance?
#11: "No." She smiled.
#12: "No."

When I took their photo, Neighbor #11 said people mistake them for sisters all the time. I asked if they wanted a penguin sticker. Neighbor #11 smiled and said, "Oh yes. Thank you. My granddaughter collects penguins!" Neighbor #12 looked distrustfully at the stickers and said, "No." As I was leaving, Neighbor #11 called out, "Good luck with whatever you're doing!"

Neighbor #10

Neighbor #10 was wandering around the IDS building with Neighbor #9.



Where do you live?
"Um, Minneapolis."

What do you do?
"I'm, um, a cook in a bar."

If you could have any super power, what would it be?
"Super power... I'd like to have the ability to see into the future." "He wants to help people," said his friend.

In three adjectives, how would you describe yourself?
"I'm, uh, funny. Stupid. Nonchalant."

What's your favorite city or town?
"Fairbanks, Alaska."

If you won the Powerball, what would be the first thing you'd do?
"I'd probably start a charity."

In three words, how would you describe the United States?
"I don't know... we're technological. Screwy. Broad, we have a lot of stuff here."

Do you own a gun? If not, would you?
"Yes, I've got a shotgun."

Who is your favorite movie star?
"Oh, Samuel L. Jackson. And for a woman, Salma Hayek." He grinned sideways at Neighbor #9.

What's the strangest thing you own?
"Strange? I don't really have anything strange."

What's your favorite restaurant in Minneapolis?
"Chipotle," said his friend for him. "Uh yeah, Chipotle." Neighbor #9 finished.

Can you dance?
"Uh, no."

If you were to be abducted, would you rather be an alien or ghost?
"An alien."

He added his own question.
How are you doing today?
"Very good, thank you."

Neighbor #9

I accosted neighbor #9 by the ATM machines in the IDS Tower. He was with a friend (neighbor #10, coming soon). When I told him the survey was for no particular reason, he said "cool" and answered the questions while swinging his Target bag with his hand still in his pocket.



Where do you live?
"Minneapolis."

What do you do?
"I'm a student and a waiter."

If you could have any super power, what would it be?
[without missing a beat] "Cool. Super powers. I'd want the ability to read people's minds." He raised his eyebrows at me.

In three adjectives, how would you describe yourself?
"I'm crazy! I'm driven. And uh, I'm difficult."

What's your favorite city or town?
"Paranagua. It's in Brazil."

If you won the Powerball, what would be the first thing you'd do?
"Travel."

In three words, how would you describe the United States?
"I think we're money-hungry. We're technological. And spoiled."

Do you own a gun? If not, would you?
"Yep. A 22."

Who is your favorite movie star?
"Bruce Willis or Edward Norton."
Who is your favorite female movie star?
"Salma Hayek." And he wiggled his eyebrows.

What's the strangest thing you own?
"I have no idea. Uh. I've got a wake board, like a snowboard but it's built for the water."

What's your favorite restaurant in Minneapolis?
"Buca's."

Can you dance?
"A little bit."

He added his own question. If you were to be abducted, would you rather be an alien or ghost?
And he answered "Ghost."

When I offered him a penguin sticker, he stuck out his chest so I could stick it on him. He wiggled his eyebrows some more.

Neighbor #8

She was snapping pictures in downtown Minneapolis. Very approachable, she agreed to take the survey more quickly than everyone I asked.



Where do you live?
"I'm from Milwaukee, going to school here though."

What do you do?
"I work on campus."

If you could have any super power, what would it be?
"Oh, good question! Traveling to the past would be cool."

In three adjectives, how would you describe yourself?
"That's a good one. I'd say I'm funny and hard-working, and I'm encouraging."

What's your favorite city or town?
"Oh, that's a difficult one... I really like it here, so I'll say Minneapolis!"

If you won the Powerball, what would be the first thing you'd do?
"Well, I don't play. But if I did, I guess... I'd buy a Chevy Silverado!"

In three words, how would you describe the United States?
[pause] "You ask good questions! Hm. Foolish. Very proud, lots of pride. When things get tough, they really show that they care for their neighbor."

Do you own a gun? If not, would you?
"No. I wish nobody else did."

Who is your favorite movie star?
"It used to be Bruce Willis. Now, I'd say Jason Stathom."

What's the strangest thing you own?
"Some people think it's strange that I sill have my stuffed dog."

What's your favorite restaurant in Minneapolis?
"Olive Garden. Or Applebee's. They have good appetizers."

Can you dance?
"No! [laughing] I'm a white girl; of course I can't dance!"

I thanked her for the interview and asked if I could take her picture. She enthusiastically agreed, asking if she could take my picture. Of course, I agreed immediately.

Neighbor #6 & 7

They were sitting at a bus stop in front of the Gap. Neighbor 6: "What kind of survey? It better be quick." Neighbor 7: "Survey? Sure, okay. Do you want to ask us one at a time?" Neighbor 6: "No, she can ask us at the same time."



Where do you live?
#6: "Brookyln Park"
#7: "Minneapolis"

What do you do?
#6: "I'm a teacher." [where?] "at a middle school."
#7: "I sell produce."

If you could have any super power, what would it be?
#6: "I'd want to mind-read."
#7: "Oh, that's a good one. That's a good question. Well, I'd want the power to choose our government officials."
#6: "No, you wouldn't want to be in control or anything... ha ha."

In three adjectives, how would you describe yourself?
#6: "Interesting, kind, a listener."
#7: "Oh yes, I'd agree, she's a good listener. Well, hm. I guess I'm thoughtful... I'm fortunate... and I have a good soul."

What's your favorite city or town?
#6: "Santa Barbara, California."
#7: "Oh I've never gone there before!"
#6: "Well, we'll have to go now!"
#7: "Yeah. Oh, my favorite city. I like that question. I'd choose New York."
#6: "I knew you were going to say that!"

If you won the Powerball, what would be the first thing you'd do?
#6: "Oh easy, I'd set aside education funds for my nieces and nephews."
#7: "Oh, you thought about that already! Well, I'd put 5 million in the bank, and find ways to give the rest away."

In three words, how would you describe the United States?
#6: "I'll let you answer this one first. You're more opinionated than I am."
#7: "I would say it's still the best! ...and highly troubled. I think our common citizens need to wake up."
#6: "You mean, they're asleep."
#7: "Yes, exactly. They're asleep."
#6: "I'd have to say, it's irreplaceable. ["good one!" said neighbor 6] "Yes, and very troubled. It's a work-in-progress."
#7: "Oh I like that. A work-in-progress."

Do you own a gun? If not, would you?
#6: "No, and no."
#7: "Same here."

Who is your favorite movie star?
#6: "Kathleen Turner."
#7: "Ooh, Al Pacino! I like Meryl Streep, too."

What's the strangest thing you own?
#6: "A cadillac!"
#7: "Oh, I don't really have one. Oh, okay, a sail boat."
#6: "Yeah, you don't talk about that much anymore."
#7: "Yeah, I need a sailor."

What's your favorite restaurant in Minneapolis?
#6: "P. F. Chang's"
#7: "Oh, I like Vincent's. I like restaurants that are independently owned."

Can you dance?
#6: "Social dance, yes, but not contemporary."
#7: "No!"

They said I should add another question the next time I do the survey.

What are you going to be in your next life?
#7: "I'd be an elementary school teacher by day, and a dancer by night."
Hm. What kind of dancer?
#7: "Modern or ballet."
#6: "I'd be a lawyer. Or a paralegal. But by night, I'd be a professional musician. Like in a band or orchestra."
#7: "Oh, good one!"
#6: "See what thirty years of friendship will do! I know how she'll answer these questions."

I had some penguin stickers in my back pocket. I asked if they'd like to have one. They both said yes.

Neighbor #5

I asked if they would mind taking a survey. I repeated the question in my rusty, Peggy-Hill Spanish. They patiently sat through my wild hand-gesturing and butchering of their language, shrugged, and allowed me to take their photo.

Neighbor #4

Neighbor #4 was a tall, affable man in his early- to late- 40's. He was standing guard at a downtown hotel. "A short survey? Oh, okay. George, she wants to ask me a survey." George, the hotel doorman, nodded, looking at something over his other shoulder



Where do you live?
"Where do I live? I live in Bloomington."

What do you do?
"What do I do? I work here, hotel loss prevention, and I also do private security."

If you could have any super power, what would it be?
"Hoo, if I had a super power, what would it be... I wish I had the power for world peace."

In three adjectives, how would you describe yourself?
"Three adjectives to describe myself... honest, hard-working... consistent."

What's your favorite city or town?
"Good one! My favorite city... tough one... I'd have to choose Denver, Colorado. Or Atlanta. Yeah, it'd be Denver or Atlanta."

If you won the Powerball, what would be the first thing you'd do?
"If I won the powerball, what would I do... definitely something charitable."

In three words, how would you describe the United States?
"In three words, hm... well, it's still the best place in the world. We give a lot... it's humanitarian. We give a lot to foreign aide."

Do you own a gun? If not, would you?
"Do I own a gun? No. Would I? Yeah, I think you have to nowadays. I just haven't gotten around to it."

Who is your favorite movie star?
"My favorite movie star? Oh that's easy. Lawrence Fishbourne. And oh, Samuel L. Jackson. I like what he does." [George interrupted, asking what about Denzel?] "Oh, Denzel. But he's got a family, he doesn't make a lot of pictures like the other guys. He's a family man. Nothing wrong with that."

What's the strangest thing you own?
"What the strangest thing I own... hoo, that's tough. Hm. I've got an old truck I'm restoring. People always wonder why I've got that. I'm just taking my time restoring it, you know."

What's your favorite restaurant in Minneapolis?
"Hands down, Rudolph's!"

Can you dance?
[George snorted] "I'd like to think I can! Nah, can't really dance."

When I thanked him, he bent down and gave me a big hug, thanking me for the interview. He said it was very American of me. "You can stop by any time! Just ask for me, Jeff. Or George!"

Neighbor #2 and #3

The next two neighbors were accosted at the bus stop in front of the very big and loud Gameworks in downtown Minneapolis. The woman immediately agreed, chuckling happily as I fumbled with the camera to take her picture. She had a serious smoker's voice, very deep and scratchy, and had a full, hearty laugh.

Where do you live?
"1707 3rd Avenue South. Oh I hope the rest of the questions are going to be as easy as this one!"

What do you do?
"I'm on disability."

If you could have any super power, what would it be?
"Ooh, good question. Well, I wish I could fly around without worrying about vehicles."

In three adjectives, how would you describe yourself?
"Friendly, loving, very happy."

What's your favorite city or town?
"Tucson, Arizona. That's a really nice place to be in."

If you won the Powerball, what would be the first thing you'd do?
"I'd give it to the church."

In three words, how would you describe the United States?
"Oh boy, [that's] hard to describe... Well, it's free, friendly, could be cooler. You know, weather-wise."

Do you own a gun? If not, would you?
"No, but I used to have one."

Who is your favorite movie star?
"Oh, I love that Linda Wagner. Does it have to be only one? Can I pick a guy? I like Michael Landon, too."

What's the strangest thing you own?
"Own something strange? I don't own nothing that's strange." [after a few suggestions from her friend, she finally settled for] "strange collection of lighters."

What's your favorite restaurant in Minneapolis?
"Market BBQ."
Where is that? I don't think I've been there.
"Oh you have to! Their ribs are soo good! It's on 15th and Nicollet."

Can you sing?
Laughing, she said "Can I sing... with headphones on, yes."


Neighbor #3


Though a tad more subdued than his female companion, he too was very nice and friendly.

Where do you live?
"Same as her. In a different apartment though."

What do you do?
"I'm on disability too. Oh, and I do street evangelism, freelance work."

If you could have any super power, what would it be?
"Be able to leap tall buildings... ha, just kidding. Well, I'd choose healing. No, wait. That's more of a gift. I'd choose super strength."

In three adjectives, how would you describe yourself?
"I'm real nice. I smile a lot, born-again Christian." [friend agreed, wished she had chosen that too]

What's your favorite city or town?
"Youngstown, Ohio. I was born there. I haven't been there since."

If you won the Powerball, what would be the first thing you'd do?
"Give to the church."

In three words, how would you describe the United States?
adamantly, "It's a good country to live in. I'd say it's free. And there's finally a good Christian president. Yes, a born-again Christian."

Do you own a gun? If not, would you?
"No, not really. Every time I save up the money, I buy something else." He paused, reflecting on this. "What's the use, you can't carry it anywhere."

Who is your favorite movie star?
"Gregory Peck. I like his work. And female? Oh easy, Sophia Loren."

What's the strangest thing you own?
"I don't really have anything strange. Hm, well, I used to have a hi-fi console/record player with an 8-track. I'd say that's pretty strange. I don't have it any more though. I sold it."

What's your favorite restaurant in Minneapolis?
"Market BBQ. Can you tell we're [nodding to his friend] are good friends?"

Can you sing?
"Yes" and he started to hum a little tune, laughing good-naturedly at himself.

Neighbor #1

The first person I asked to take the survey was a young woman working at Snyder's. She looked to be 19 or 20, very nice, but was a little dubious about the quiz. I told her it was for school. After a minute of hm'ing and haw'ing, she finally agreed.

Where do you live?
"Minneapolis."

What do you do?
"I'm a student at St. Thomas, and uh, obviously I work at Snyder's."

If you could have any super power, what would it be?
"Hm. I would want to fly."

In three adjectives, how would you describe yourself?
"Quiet, organized, smart."

What's your favorite city or town?
"Paris."

If you won the Powerball, what would be the first thing you'd do?
"I'd give some to my parents."

In three words, how would you describe the United States?
"Well, I think we're powerful. We're free and pretty diverse."

Do you own a gun? If not, would you?
"No. No."

Who is your favorite movie star?
[took no time to answer] "Matt Damon."

What's the strangest thing you own?
"Well, I own a sweater shaver. That's pretty strange."

What's your favorite restaurant in Minneapolis?
"I like Olive Garden a lot."

Can you dance?
She giggled. "No, I can't."