Skip to Content
News

Today’s Open Thread: It’s an Important Rodent Holiday 

It's time once again for us to turn Racket over to you, the readers.

10:25 AM CST on February 2, 2024

It’s your holiday, little buddy!

|Unsplash

Hello. Hi. Hola. It’s me, Jessica. Keith is out today moving to new digs, so I'm here to dump some lighter fluid onto the embers of this week’s open thread post. 

Last night, my Mom sent me a text at the stroke of midnight wishing me a happy Groundhog's Day. Punxsutawney Phil didn’t see his shadow this morning, in case you were wondering, which means spring is coming early, but if you’ve been outside in Minnesota lately you probably already knew that. 

While I don’t take weather predictions from disoriented rodents seriously, I do appreciate the reminder to watch Groundhog Day, a movie that gets me thinking about breaking bad habits, changing perspectives, and trying to be the best version of ourselves. I know New Year’s is the big resolution holiday, but I feel like Groundhog’s Day could be a lower stakes, more realistic counterpart. A big part of realizing goals is recognizing and breaking bad cycles, after all.

So let’s talk about bad habits and what we’re doing to break them this season. My lifelong dumb habit is drinking too much coffee. It gives me migraines. It fucks with my stomach. I stop sleeping. I drink too much, then I quit, only to start up again a few months later. I’ve been slowly weaning myself off the juice; during lockdown I was up to over a pint of joe a day, now I’m down to a single champagne flute (gotta put that neglected glassware to use somehow).

What dumb habits do you struggle to kick? Let’s talk in the thread below. Or, just share your plans for the weekend—or whatever else you feel like talking about. I’m going out for cocktails with a friend tonight, how about you?

More Stories

Who Is Potential MN Gov. Amy Klobuchar? Let’s Ask Author Amy Klobuchar.

Plus suspicious Klobes mailers, the mysterious killing of Joe Eder, and what if we legalized sleeping in cars in today's Flyover news roundup.

October 22, 2026

On the Big Screen This Week: Hitchcock, Hamaguchi, and More Fests Than You Can Handle

Pretty much all the movies you can catch in the Twin Cities this week.

October 22, 2026

‘Sweet Land’ at 20: Exploring the MN-Made Movie’s Still-Relevant Immigrant Themes

The filmmaker and author reflect on taking the short story from page to screen, and celebrate its anniversary this weekend with a screening at the Main.

Why Are We Suddenly Talking About ‘Somali Gangs’ All the Time?

Plus running from Trump, rewarding Nick Shirley, and a weak-ass WSJ hit piece in today's Flyover news roundup.

October 21, 2026

Best Budget Bites: $7 Burger Basket From Como Tap

Is it possible to find a cheaper burger basket ANYWHERE?

October 21, 2026

A Very Early Preview of the Very Delayed Green Line Extension

Will this light rail put us on the map like Brockway, Ogdenville, and North Haverbrook?

October 21, 2026