Skip to Content
Opinion

Start Your Labor Day Weekend Off Right With This Friday Open Thread

Let's talk about work! Or let's not!

How we put Racket together every day

|Arron Choi via Unsplash

We're taking Labor Day off here at Racket and we hope you've got the opportunity to do the same. But before we all go our separate ways, we wanted to use this week's open thread to talk about (sorry!) work.

So this week's prompt is labor related. What was your first job? Your worst job? Your weirdest? What do you do now?

Since it's only fair that I answer those questions myself, here goes. I was a paper boy as a kid, but my first regular job was at a Roy Rogers, a fast food chain I don't think they have out here. My worst? I left my job as music editor at City Pages in 2001 to edit the review section for the new music mag Blender in New York—and got canned after a month. My weirdest was probably working in a warehouse using a labeling machine to seal bags of potpourri.

And this, of course, is what I do now.

Anyway, feel free to chat about any of this, your Labor Day plans, or anything else that crosses your mind. And see ya next Tuesday.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Racket

NYT: MN U.S. Attorney’s Office ‘In Crisis’ After Patel Ended Investigation Into Renee Good Killing

Plus national attention on Council Member Stevenson, Lindell campaign's book-buying spree, and How to Help in today's Flyover news roundup.

February 9, 2026

MN ICE Watch Feb. 9-13: Daily Updates on the Federal Forces That Just Won’t Leave

Another week, another mega blog of ICE-related headlines.

February 9, 2026

Jug Bands, RVs, Space Fest at the Bell: This Week’s Best Events

Plus a free market on Lyndale, rare films, and last call for Dyani White Hawk's 'Love Language' at the Walker.

February 9, 2026

Strib Analysis: ICE Being Weird, Illegal With License Plates

Plus states fight to investigate ICE killings, a tow truck company does good work, and a family in need in today's Flyover news roundup.

Open Thread: Extra! Extra! What Operation Metro Surge Articles Stick With You?

As we do every Friday, we're turning Racket over to you, the readers.

February 6, 2026
See all posts