I promised you a poem, so here it is. I called it “10 Things I Hate About You” because I’m an incredibly unoriginal person and I’m obsessed with that movie.
Here it goes:
I hate the way the Minneapolis skyline lights up at night and the way Lake Superior lazily licks at the rocky crags beneath Split Rock Lighthouse on the North Shore. I hate it when storms roll in with purple rain and the way your lakes freeze over for some of the most wondrous winter walks imaginable.
I hate that you turned me into an unabashed professional basketball fan and the absolute decadence of an afternoon at the Minnesota State Fair. I hate warm summer mornings biking around the Chain of Lakes and intimate nights with new-to-me music at 7th Street Entry. I hate Bebe Zito ice cream and the sandwiches at Northern Waters Smokehaus. But most of all, I hate that I don’t hate you, not even close, not even a little bit, not even at all.
If it wasn’t already apparent, this is my final day at the Minnesota Star Tribune. (Sorry about the misdirect with that "milestone" quip at the top of the newsletter. This one's a little sadder.)
Remember all of those needle drops I left for you on Mondays for the last few weeks? They’re from an acoustic EP from my favorite band, Saves the Day. It’s called “I’m Sorry I’m Leaving.” And that title just about sums up the way I’m feeling right now. La Jefa and I have relocated to Oregon — she recently got into grad school and we moved ahead of the fall term to help a family member who’s recovering from a stroke.
I’ll never forget the three years I spent in the North Star State. I can’t thank you enough, dear readers, for putting up with my endless “Simpsons” references and riffs on the news.
Zoë Jackson will be your pilot next week, and for some time after that. If you’re on Bluesky, let’s keep in touch. You can find me at ederc.bsky.social.
On to the news, forever and ever.