Friends, there is a man I want to tell you about. A man who, a long time ago, gave a lot to his community. A man that unselfishly helped those around him. A man who now has a holiday that we can celebrate every year. No, it's not Jesus, it's Grant Kjos. I figure you already know about Jesus.
It was probably late 2003 when I went to the Olive Garden in downtown Minneapolis and met Grant Kjos. (Kjos = ch + oh + ssss) My wife (then girlfriend) and I were having dinner with Marc and Becky, and we were waited upon by GK who told us (among other things) that he has a holiday. Evidently he wrote a bunch of grants (heh) and gathered up a pile of money to pay for a skate park in his home town. Community leaders were impressed.
Journal of the Senate
Thursday February 15, 2001
Senator Larson introduced--
Senate Resolution No. 62: A Senate resolution commending Grant Kjos of Alexandria,
Minnesota, on receiving a Prudential Spirit of Community Award.
Referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
Ok, it doesn't say anything about a holiday, but the actual existance of the holiday isn't important. The important part is that Grant was funny and entertaining, and that he gave us his email and I promised to send him email on Feb. 28 to celebrate Grant Kjos Day.
Some Things about Grant Kjos:
- He used to wait tables at the Olive Garden downtown, but now that Olive Garden is closed, I think.
- He was in college at the time he served us, but I don't know about that anymore.
- He is a skater. He says he wrote for some skater magazine somewhere, and claimed to know some people who were 'really good'.
- He is/was involved in competative hackey-sack (footbag).
- February 28 is Grant Kjos Day.
There's more, but I won't tell you. My friends and I send 'happy GK Day' email to Grant Kjos on Feb. 28, and the only response I've ever heard of was along the lines of 'who are you? what is going on?' This is a real person, who doesn't remember talking to me or giving out his email. I don't want the poor guy to feel like there is anything going on that isn't good, clean fun. There is a definite temptation to go for the most extreme Grant Kjos stalker episode evar, but don't give in. Have a little sanity.
That being said, I hope that everyone can celebrate Grant Kjos Day! Have a beer! Kick a hackeysack! Eat Italian! Send off a GKDay email!
3 comments:
Grant Kjos is my friend. IT IS REAL!
So quick question... Do you all still celebrate the Grant Kjos Day?
Holy crap, people are commenting on my post from 6 years ago.
CarrieB - I've met up with Grant a few times now. I don't think I can quite call him friend, but friendly acquaintance, sure.
Alexia - I sent him an email this last Feb 28. Not a very good one, though. Last year we got together for dinner, some several weeks late. So yeah, I still try to remember GK Day.
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