Ultimate

You think drinking alone is tough? Try playing Frisbee.

Ed's

Welcome to Ed's Restaurant in Kingsley, IA. Great prices.

For just $3.75, I managed both a burger and a small pop.

(note: in case I haven't covered this for the East Coast crowd, they have different terminology out here. Soda is often called pop.

Other examples . . .Elevators are called lifts. And Toyota is called Chevy)

A View from the Outside

This Should Have Come First

Frost

One bridge diverged in a crowded wood in this park. And I took the one less traveled by. Which, by its virtue of being the only bridge, meant the most traveled by also.

Laying Down the Law in Cherokee

The same does not apply to 23-year-old boys.

We All Need a Hobby

Even on the darkest days, we all need a reason to get out of bed. I'm not saying this is my only one, but I really want that free sandwich.

Google Maps

Google Maps now allows you to embed maps in your blog or e-mail.

This can be very useful to a new Iowan trying to describe his surroundings.

For example, this is where I live. And yes, it is this blurry in real life. Sure, it makes driving difficult, but it really reduces the handicap on people with poor eyesight.


View Larger Map

War of the Worlds

During last night's torrential rain, we were greeted by an apparant UFO.

Is This Physics?

This helicopter was giving rides at the Wall Lake, IA, Farm Festival.

The backwards 'C' in it's propeller is probably some sort of tribute to me.

Wall Lake Farm Festival

Finally a parade. Just like the good old days...of last month.

Re-gifting?

I have a pregnant cousin in Givat Zeev. I was thinking of sending this over as a "welcome to the world" gift for the new one. Would that be wrong?

Another Satisfied Vicenarian

It's the Thought That . . . Probably Shouldn't Be Said Out Loud

Thanks for the gift and card, Sioux City Office. FCC rules prevent me from revealing its contents, but I'll reveal that they are sentimental and heartfelt.

Target Demographic

The office reads the blog.

Blow Out the Candles on Your Pork Slab

The magic of a summer birthday is that you get the sympathy amassed by not being able to have a party in school (see: kindergarten through 3rd grade), and when you do get to have a party at home, it's usually a pool party. I'm not saying you can't try this pool tactic with a winter birthday, but don the speedo at your own risk.

It also means I've been home for my recent birthdays, (i.e. not at college) . . . until now. August 15, 2007 was spent out here in Iowa. And it was grand. For the humble fee of $12, I was treated to a dinner at the Cherokee Community Center. What made it real special was that it was potluck, as all dinners should be. That meant 400 different kinds of salads. (which was odd considering the attendance marker didn't break 100. Somebody must have made 300 extra salads)

And for dessert. Everyone's favorite. Pie.

The speaking slate for the evening was filled with some studs, once again reminding me that Iowa is the place to be in an election year. Mention the word potluck, and two Senators, an Ambassador, 2 Secretaries of Education, Grover Cleveland, and 7 of the 9 living ex-Presidents of the United States, show up. I don't know if my numbers are exactly right, but the point is, people turn out.

Speaking of Iowa politics, did you know Gopher from the Love Boat later became a member of the United States House of Representatives? In the spirit of transparency, I didn't learn that in Cherokee tonight. I've known it for a while and have been sitting on it, waiting for the right moment to insert it into a post.

I'll close with some words from the immortal (or at least still alive, eventuality of death unknown) Jim Gaffigan:
"Pie can’t compete with cake. Put candles in a cake, it’s a birthday cake. Put candles in a pie, and somebody’s drunk in the kitchen."

The One Good Thing About It

Might I recommend the Crowne Plaza for when your week is thrown a curveball by an airline

Things just got interesting here. The flight just got canceled and it's turned into an episode of The Amazing Race

My Ride Home

Halfway

Back in the right time zone, but still one more flight to go.

Heading Back

Welcoming Committee

New Jersey: I Got Yer Patriotism Right Here

Familiar Faces

Now in NJ

Layover Over

Round 2, en route to Newark

Progress

At the end of this line awaits... More waiting. But atleast that waiting will be on a plane.

On Time is For Suckers

Did I say 35 minutes? I meant 65 minutes, so far.

Fair and Balanced pricing at the duty-free shop

First Sign of Trouble

35 minute anticipated delay.

Based on the length of this leg of the flight, the in-flight movie may be half an episode of Frasier.

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi at the Sioux City Airport allows me to elaborate a bit on the scene.

The room I'm sitting in is about the size of two Olive Garden Restaurants, without the tables and Tours of Italy. It serves as both the ticketing area, the bag check area, and the waiting area. Most people sit idly, staring at a central TV showing Dr. Phil. He's discussing proper parenting . . . or lasting relationships. I'm not quite sure which. It's so dang hard to follow that drawl.

I've started to read Harry Potter and have made it as far as page two before deciding to write this. I suppose I can ride around on a magic broomstick anytime . . . but finding wi-fi, that's a rare treat.

A family of three just switched seats because their back was to the television. Dr. Phil draws another innocent victim into his clutches. Godspeed, family of three.

Wheels up is scheduled for about 45 minutes. No news about delays. I wouldn't mind if it stayed that way.

The Terminal

Don't go looking for Gates 3 or 4 oh higher. This isn't one of those types of airports.

Sioux City Airport

As thunder sounds, I make my entrance.

Live Blogging the Visit

Bags are packed. Coming home via Minneapolis.

Wi-Fi and coffee in Cherokee. They don't lie when they call this the Cultural District of town.

Rush Hour

Man on the Street

Part 2 in my (number deleted for national security reasons) part series:
"People I See Around The Office Who Aren't the UPS Man"

Name: (Deleted for National Security Reasons)
Hobby: Being Photographed in front of trunks, hatchbacks, and truck beds.
Favorite Article of Clothing: Shirt collars (only if bigger than a breadbasket)

RAGBRAI: A Fond Look Back

RAGBRAI'ers ruling the road in Webb, IA

A Bad Seed

Ethanol is popular out here. But you can't become complacent and think it can't do any harm. For example, this ear of corn was recently charged with Assault and Threshing and is spending the next 3 years behind bars.

Deja RV

Every county fair has its unique qualities. But this below is a familiar scene. Swap the name on the sign, mix in a motorhome, and change the workers to be listening to polka and reading Harry Potter, and you get a picture of my summer work experience.

However, back home, we didn't see the need to list our favorite brand of the armed forces right in the company name. We get it; you support the troops. But 84 Coast Guard and RV might not even fit in the phone book.

Good News from FAAville

My two County fairs here have been swell; but it's tough to top Sussex County. So, rather than just talk about Sussex County to everybody who would listen (my original plan), I decided to just come home.

I've purchased a ticket from Northwest Airlines, arriving home late Friday, returning Sunday afternoon. Now, I know what you're saying. You're saying, Curtis, Northwest Airlines is embattled in a bitter dispute with its pilots, leading to many cancellations. Well, I say, what you say, even though I know what you're saying . . . is, I say, incorrect. Does this mean no cancellation? No. But it improves my chances I'd say.

Since a trip home constitutes a denouement of sorts, even if it's one of several, I've decided to unload any residual photos from the camera. So, coming up, a look back at some moments I meant to write about but forgot I had photos to share.

Kobayashi Eat Your Heart Out

Apparently in between eating contests there was a baseball game going on. But for now, I am watching a 40-year-old man destroy some 9-year-old girls in a hot wing eating match.

At the Ballpark

If you thought my seats were good last time . . .

Quotent Quotables

Memorable Quote of the Day:

From the Beauty School Instructor, while staring at my head, addressing the student who had just finished shearing me:

"Fortunately, hair grows back."

He was specifically referring to the whirl in the back of my head; apparently "whirl" is a technical term.

Anyway, I thought it looked pretty good.

The Barber of Seville. And by Seville, I mean Le Mars, IA

Courtesy of the Le Mars Beauty College