How to be one of the cool kids

NPR is giving lessons in how to do the Minnesota accent

. I should probably practice so I can blend in better.

One nice thing about it is that they’re emphasizing the subtleties–it’s inspired by the television series, Fargo, but all the people in that show have the extreme version of the local accent — they all sound like they’re straight out of the Iron Range, way up north. Around where I live, the accent is recognizable but much, much softer.

We should all work on our accents while I struggle with a few other things: it’s a heavy grading day for me, and my computer is still mostly dead and unreliable (I’m pecking this out on my iPad, which is totally unsuitable for writing of any length). My goal is to get all the exams graded today, and reward myself wit the local showing of the new Star Wars movie.

Don’t worry, my keyboardless state means I won’t be able to dump spoilers on you. I’ll be reduced to short texting style one-liners by then. “WORST STAR WARS EVER.”