Curtis's Guide to Apartment Living: Episode 4

Part 2 of my 2 Part Series: Things I Haven't Done in a While

Activity: Clothes Shopping, alone

Last Known Occurrence: . . . Never?

Reason Behind Activity: A man can only wear his Mickey Mouse tie so many times before it goes from humorous, to kinda cute, to obnoxious.

Part 1 of my 2 Part Series: Things I Haven't Done in a While

Activity: Ate Meat at my Apartment

Last Known Occurrence: Never

Reason Behind Activity: The generosity of the (Name Deleted to Protect the Leftovers) Family.

Can You Tell I'm Stalling Until I Can Finish Another Video?

This year, I ended up Tivo'ing the Jerry Lewis Telethon to watch in increments over the past couple of weeks. The nearest location to here was the Chicago telethon hosted by the incomparable Bart Connor and the unpronounceable Nadia Comaneci. And after sifting through 17 hours of fund-raising and entertainment, I recommend . . .

1) The Duttons (if I'd known they were this good, I would have went to their performance in Rock Valley, Iowa)

2) John Cassidy - Comedy, Magic, and Really weird things with balloons.

3) Norm Crosby - Borscht Belt funnyman

Alas, once I deleted the Telethon from my DVR, I had 40% more space to use on the Fall TV Season.

Destination: Indianola, IA

It's been a while since I visited a new town. But coming up on Sunday, I will be introduced to Indianola, IA.

It's home to the National Balloon Classic, the National Balloon Museum, and Indianolans.

The back roads were tough today, showing remnants of an apparent earthquake on the right hand side of the road there. But I was up for the challenge.
(Note: For safety purposes, this was not a live-blogging moment. I came home, counted two arms, two legs, and all 9 toes before putting this one up)
















Make that 10 toes. I missed the small one who was still clinging to its neighbor out of fear.

L'Shana Tova

This Daily Show interview doesn't have much to do with my life in Iowa, except . . .

It's got a few high holiday mentions. And I myself am revved up for a new year. Some local families are making sure I am well fed both pre and post Yom Kippur fast.

It also shows off Comedy Central's very impressive embeddable video player.

Iowa Climate

Pretty drastic weather change today in Iowa. I even had to turn the dial from cool to heat in the car today.

It was 55 and dropping when I last checked.

I know it will only get worse, but it's really the symbolism of it all that has caused me to write about it here. I've experienced the hot of an Iowa summer. In a few months, I'll have the pleasure of at least the beginning of one its winters.

In preparation, I am watching Discovery Channel's Planet Earth, the episode about Ice Worlds.

Code Orange

The Fair was marred by a constant state of fear brought on by the presence of this sign.

Take Flight at the Fair

Remember the days when too much funnel cake meant you were so full you couldn't walk to the ice cream stand? Well not anymore! Now you can fly there.

Clay County Fair

The Clay County Fair has finally arrived.

Labor Day

Besides having Jimmy Hoffa buried under Giants Stadium, is Labor big in New Jersey?

I ask because I feel a strong Labor presence in Iowa. Several huge picnics are occurring today, for example. And I can't tell if I'm noticing it because either 1) It's strong in Iowa or 2) I'm now part of the workforce, so I'm bound to notice my comrades.

It's awfully confusing to see Jimmy Hoffa's son as head of the Teamsters. I would imagine quite a few youths trying to write a history essay based on a quick glance at a Wikipedia article might produce something like this:
"Jimmy Hoffa was head of the Teamsters. Then he mysteriously disappeared and nobody heard from him again. Then he became head of the Teamsters.

Finally, it's not too late to spend some quality time with Jerry Lewis over the MDA Telethon. Check your local listings. I fell asleep pretty early, but not before Gary Lewis and the Playboys made their annual appearance. Boy, they grow up so fast.

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