Davenport, IA
I had to visualize a matrix in my mind’s eye so that I could get through the next few weeks. Let’s see if you can keep up: I’m on a trip inside a trip and will leave Iowa for a trip inside a trip, on vacation from my primary trip. Confusing? I’ve driven 400 miles so far this week, gigging in Davenport (Tue.), and Cedar Rapids (Wednesday, Thursday). This week’s trip takes place within my major four month trip to Iowa. After a gig in Davenport on Saturday (two Friday gigs fell through, one in Des Moines, and another in Iowa City), I drive back to Des Moines, unpack from this week and repack for next week.
This Sunday, I fly (liquid-less) to San Francisco, only to unpack and pack for a week-long trip to Burningman. Then I head back to SF, unpack and then pack lightly for the return flight to Des Moines (coach class for the first time ever…. I upgraded with frequent flyer miles). So, Monday before I left for this trip East, I also had to pack for the trip to SF and Burningman.
If you need it drawn out for you, contact me and I’ll give you a nifty flow chart or something.
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I.
dear ms. peep;
where dost thou sheep go?
little lamB
>hook< now now dear
sweet puffy thing
inspired cute nosey
legged pillow
chew
l
v
r
s
l
:p
;>
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During my second day on the job with Business Leaders for Sensible Priorities (BLSP), I started asking questions about the carnival games. Ben Cohen, Board Chairman, and Duane Peterson, Executive Director, listened patiently to my questions. I asked about crowd control, doing two games at once, set up needs, and maintenance needs. Most of my questions got a single answer: “We don’t know. You’re the first person to take the games out there, so you’ll tell us.”
After test performances that first week in Burlington, Duane and Ben kept telling me to act bigger, make more noise and be louder. While not working the games, I told their administrative assistant, Vicky, that I felt like I had six learning curves going on at once. I was overwhelmed at first, because I was the new guy with new games going to the newest campaign site in New Hampshire to work with the other newest employees of BLSP. Needless to say, my stay in New Hampshire with Priorities New Hampshire (PNH) ended up being one of patience, frustration, flexibility, and constant adaptation. I loved every minute, but also felt helpless at times due to not knowing how to adapt, or not doing it quick enough.
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Now that I have a nice amount archived, I thought I’d post some of the pics that I featured on this blog’s header. I’ll start from the oldest to the newest so you all can relive the moment when you saw that specific photo. Sadly, I didn’t keep the catchy sayings I quoted or made up for each one. Click thumbnails for the bigger picture.

The White Mountains of VT, shot from Bread & Puppet’s meadow

An old cemetery in Concord, NH, shot during my first bike ride on this trip
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After a fun ride through all of Des Moines, my coworker Jess and I arrived to the East Side, and the Iowa State Fair, in cycling style. As our other coworker Dave drove around looking for parking, we cooled down and spoke to the few bikers that rode up to lock down. On the ride over (about 6 miles total), one driver cussed us for cutting through traffic to avoid hitting mirrors while riding in the gutter. Another local yelled “You’re crazy!” as we sped by. “I do crazy things on my birthday!” I yelled back.

Living in Middle America now, I completely understand why our society is overweight, out of shape, and having major health problems. Here at the Iowa State Fair, you can eat unhealthy food to your heart’s content. The booth behind me serves up deep fried Twinkies and candy bars. Other booths served beef sundaes (mash potatoes as the ice cream), chicken/pork/beef on a stick, deep fried pickles, deep fried cheesecake… you get the picture! No wonder people were confused at my wanting to bike to this event.
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A special birthday LegumeCast, with Mom and Dad guest starring. Since I’m out here in the Iowa corn dessert, I’d like to invite you all to spend 30 minutes or so with me, my ramblin’, and a few tunes that were my faves back in the day. I mean 1970s when I say “back in the day”….
Happy birthday to me. Happy birthday to me. Woo Hoo, 37 and soooo glad that last year has put me where I am today. Looking back at my 2005 birthday entry, I am still amazed how blessed I am in this lifetime. Being alive and breathing; those are the best gifts I can receive on this day.
Off to the Iowa State Fair. BUTTER!

DJHappyFt's LegumeCast Episode 003:
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