Not posting today...

OK, well I guess I am. I mean nothing real today. The food poisoning symptoms are back... and I've been good at taking my antibiotics. Ugh. Back tomorrow.

Only during ramadan

I stepped out on my balcony at 11pm and saw crews working on two different projects. I'm in a residential zone. Jackhammers are not typical at this time of night... but when you can't eat or drink during the day, hey, I can't be upset.

Spring break?

Imagine leaving the Emirates at 10AM and being in Iowa by 8PM the SAME DAY. It sounds too good to be true but with a new direct flight to Chicago it will be possible.

Too bad it costs $300 more than a normal flight.

A bargain, I tell 'ya! A bargain!

The Cedar Rapids school board must have hired a PR writer to write for the Gazette. The CR Superintendent made $273,172 last year but according to one of the story's sources,

"I think Superintendent salaries, in general, are one of the biggest bargains in the country."

That's not what I care to read with a queasy stomach.

A change in fortune

(Note: Sundays are the start of the workweek and like Mondays back home they often suck.)

The source of the food poisoning has been confirmed. The others who ate with me have it, too. It led me to go to bed at 4 yesterday and sleep until 4 this morning.

The wimpy medicines they gave me aren't helping much so it was not a happy morning. I went to work where a colleague felt the need to prove every negative Arab stereotype (in short, bull-headed and insistent on issues that were of no concern to him). I learned that they completely switched my schedule and that I had already missed a class I was supposed to teach.

In other words, a great way to start the day, workweek, semester, school year, etc.

By noon (and my eighth trip to a bathroom with no toilet paper) I said aloud, "Can't I catch a break?"

The angels must have heard me. Within the next few hours I had:

• a class dropped from my schedule
• my schedule changed so that I only spend six hours on the women's campus
• my computer from the US now talking to the internet

It's not that I don't like teaching on the women's campus. I simply can't get past the quick head covers and shrieking when I step on an elevator.

I can't recall many days that started out this shitty (in literal and metaphoric ways) and ended so good.

Well, pretty good. Time to head to the bathroom.

What really happened to the dinosaurs?

A year ago John McCain picked Sarah Palin to be his running mate. I have spent quite a bit of time reading all I could about her. One of the interesting tidbits is that she believes dinosaurs walked the earth with man.

Really?

I picked up this pamphlet at the Iowa State Fair. It's fascinating. Not only did dinosaurs walk the earth with man, but their fossils are proof. Only getting buried by Noah's flood would cause such perfect fossils. Carbon dating claiming they are millions of years old is very questionable science.

Most interesting: If you don't believe dinosaurs walked the earth with man you are going to hell. A true Christian accepts the bible unquestioningly. Those who question the bible are doomed to hell.

Cheers!

******
The Daily Beast has the best and worse moments for Sarah Palin. It's a nice trip down memory lane.

What are the odds?

A year ago I got food poisoning at a restaurant. I didn't leave the hotel room for two days.

Exactly a year later I returned to the Pub above the restaurant, ordered some appetizers... and, well, you know where this is going.

This year I'm much better off (so far). I was able to drive to the pharmacy to get some stuff.

Then again, maybe it was the pop-tarts I ate last night.

Startling revelation

As an adult I am no longer required to eat the excessive crust on a pop-tart.

Frustrating

I left Iowa on Sunday morning. I arrived at work Tuesday morning and found out I really didn't need to be back until Saturday... which means I could have left Iowa on Friday.

Five extra days may not seem like much but given the "vacation" where I missed several friends and still didn't get everything done I wanted, five days would have been huge.

The news took all the energy out of me. It's been hard to be motivated to do anything.

The tall corn of Iowa

The perfect weather this summer has led to really tall corn. I took a tape measure a few rows in ('cause corn on the end rows doesn't grow as tall) and it measured over 10 feet.

Depressing picture

This is one of the most depressing pictures I've ever taken. (I realize most of you are scratching your heads.) The intensity of the sun in spring-summer-fall is unbearable. When I was walking around the parents' farm back home I thought, "Can this possibly be the same sun that would let you fry an egg on the sidewalk back in the Emirates?"

This guy stands in the sun - with no possibility of shade - day after day. He works seven days a week selling newspapers. No chair, no shade... only a blistering sun. At absolute best the guy makes $10/day. Most likely less than that.

When he left his home country for the dream of riches (or at least a sustainable life) I am sure he didn't picture this job.

Fascinating

Chuck Grassley's odd for a healthcare compromise one day and against the next has nothing to do with Iowa. By Rebublican rules he loses his minority leader position on the powerful finance committee next year. Republicans are so pissed about his healthcare negotiations they may block him from becoming leader on the Judiciary or Budget committees.

Beware of the melon

As a child you're told that you can't overfeed goldfish because they will eat so much they'll die. Even as a youngin' I had a hard time believing that one... until I ate watermelon.

This summer I found a place that sold great watermelons cheap. During the month of July I ate a melon per day. I developed a ritual of cutting the melon into four pieces and removing the core and putting in the fridge. I'd eat the shell and throughout the afternoon visit the fridge and polish off the core.

I am only telling you all of this as a precautionary tale: A watermelon per day wreaks havoc on your digestive system.

Prediction of the day

Democrats will overplay Kennedy's death as a rallying cry to pass healthcare reform and Republicans will successfully exploit it. Political geeks will get the reference: Paul Wellstone, redux.

Question of the day

Which funeral will get more coverage, Kennedy or Jackson?

Sadly, I know the answer.

Ted Kennedy, 1932 - 2009

What a loss.

Quote of the day - Paulsen

I finally finished In Fed We Trust and I'll comment about it later. Former Treasury Secretary Paulsen summarizes the actions of the Fed and Treasury this way:

"We succeeded in keeping the financial system from collapse, but people were unhappy that we didn't prevent a recession. It's hard to get kudos for what didn't happen."

What didn't happen was another great depression. All of the ingredients were there plus some extras. That we are not in worse shape than we are right now is quite remarkable.

Bernanke reappointment

While I was home I picked up the book In Fed We Trust which details the banking crisis. It's not exactly a page turner but it's very interesting to a political econ geek like me. I read the majority of it on my trip back.

The book reinforces my long held belief that Bush's appointing Bernanke was the single best decision he made in his eight year term. The book chronicles mistake after mistake made by Bernanke. Unlike the guy who appointed him, when Bernanke realized he made a mistake he changed course immediately.

No matter how bad things are now, I am convinced they would be far worse if it were not for Bernanke at the helm.

He deserves a second term and I don't think Obama really had any choice but to reappoint him.

A relaxing airport

Not that it's worth driving 90 miles for this, but the Moline airport has reclinable faux leather chairs and free internet.

Quote of the day - two Aussies

Today I overheard one Australian colleague say to a new one:

"Our students are the brightest of any I have ever taught. Don't let the reputation fool you. They are sharp as a tack."

I love working with people who operate in alternate realities.

Saying goodbye

When I was young I dog sat for a dachshund. The owner was retired and traveled frequently. At first Heller was nervous and would run to the door anytime someone new came... hoping it was her owner. After staying with me several times Heller became much more comfortable and even became excited to see me. Of course, she was also excited to see her owner when she returned.

We've reached that point with Gus. He was excited to see me - to the point that he clawed up my arms the first night I was home - but he also loves M&D and the farm.

Saying goodbye to M&D and Gus is always tough. Gus, however, felt the need to stick his tongue out at me. Then again, if I had his tongue I'd show it off, too.

*****
It's 3AM here (6PM Iowa time). I've unpacked and fortunately nothing but some bags of popcorn broke. (The popcorn is salvageable.) I should be getting to bed but I'm completely wired.

I've checked my work e-mail and I have no meetings or reason to go in tomorrow except that I've lost my cool office and, apparently, I've been banished back to "Guantanamo" - as it is called. Oh well, I spend only 2 hours a week there so it doesn't matter. Sniffle.

Sandy will correct me if I'm wrong, but I think they call that "sweet lemon rationalizing."

Arrived in Dubai

I arrived in Dubai and I'm waiting for Ann and Mike to arrive from London. They have a Galloper in Dubai and we'll get get back to Al Ain together. It's currently 10PM... I hope to be home and in bed by 2AM 'cause I'm dragging.

The trip from DC to Dubai was the bumpiest flight I've ever been on. Sleep - even ambien induced - was hard. On the Chicago to DC leg a very annoying little girl sat just ahead of me. In the two hours we sat on the plane I'm pretty sure her high pitched talking didn't pause for 30 seconds. The parents never answered her or spoke to her. They didn't need to; this girl lived in her own world and wanted to everyone else to know what she saw. While I found it irritating I just kept telling myself, "I have to put with this for a few hours. The parents have got this for years."

Moline airport

Waiting in the Moline airport is pretty comfortable. They have leather recliner chairs and free internet. Saying goodbye to the parents and dog was tough. When I got out the luggage two days ago Gus knew something was up and he basically did not let me out of his sight since.

In 21 hours I land in Dubai. Just a hop, skip and jump from here.

Off to the Emirates

As one who is accustomed to one, two, or three showers per day, I can't say I'm excited that my next shower will be in 34 hours.

I'm just not happy this AM because I feel like I didn't accomplish as much as I hoped on this trip and I certainly didn't have enough fun. Hmm, not sure why. I do know the next three weeks will be much more relaxing than the previous three. It will be nice to be back at work.

Question of the day - points

As I was driving along two bicyclists coming from opposite directions crossed in front of me. Had I accelerated I could have taken them both out.

My question: How many points is it for a fat guy driving an old man's car hitting two fit bicyclists going in opposite directions?

Healthcare reform: A simple explanation

Here's a great place to have the healtcare reform bill explained on the back of a napkin... well, 50 napkins to be precise.

While I would rather see a public option or the dream of a single payer system, it's not what we're going to get. I believe congress can pass a bill that will:

• Ban "pre-existing conditions"
• Help the poor/lower income buy insurance through a sliding scale fee
• Sets maximums for out of pocket (also on a sliding scale) to prevent medical expense bankruptcies

The sensible center in the Democratic caucus will push for this. The blue dogs and Republicans will have some imaginary excuse(think of lies like "death panels) to oppose it. The liberal wing of the party will oppose it for not going far enough.

The real test of Obama's leadership will be bringing all Senate and House Democrats together to say, "If we don't at least accomplish this many of you will lose your job in 2010. Unless you want 2010 to be a repeat of 1994 you had better vote for this bill."

Quote of the day - Paul Krugman

From Friday's NYTimes: One line in Krugman's column sums up my feeling towards the start of the Obama administration:

"It’s hard to avoid the sense that Mr. Obama has wasted months trying to appease people who can’t be appeased, and who take every concession as a sign that he can be rolled."

Sadly, the most recent example has been our own Chuck Grassley leading the Republicans in health care negotiations. I have wanted to believe Chuck has been acting as a serious player in trying to get something passed. After hearing his performances at the town hall meetings it's becoming clear he'll vote against the final bill no matter how watered down it becomes.

Eqyptian sheets

My friend Tony owns an art gallery and has mastered packing things so they won't break in transit. He did a great job packing glasses last winter for me... glasses that successfully traveled 7000 miles. I took them out to get a picture of them all and knocked one over and broke it.

This time I have some extra room and Tony suggested a pillow. At the evil empire I bought a large pillow and decided to get a set of King sheets for the guest bed... you know, for when you want to come visit.

I found "Egyptian cotton" sheets on sale for $40.

Hmm. As you may recall, a friend visiting Egypt bought me a set of King "Egyptian cotton" sheets for $204.

Yes, the thread count was 600 vs. 400, but is a 600 thread count worth an extra $164? And how exclusive are these sheets if they sell them at Wal-marts across America. I doubt there are enough cotton fields in Egypt to supply the world's largest retailer, so is "Egyptian cotton" a name of cotton that can be grown anywhere?

Blogging anniversary

Light a candle. One year ago today TrueBlueIowan appeared on monitors across the world.

I believe I've come a long way in the past year. I've redefined the blog. It originated as a blog about the new life in the middle east but it soon evolved into politics and economics... and, well, then it has evolved into what I find interesting.

The fact I have a few readers who care about anything I find interesting amazes me.

Why health care reform is needed

Too many on my side are hooked up on a public option. "If there's no public option it should be voted down." I agree there should be a public option. Like most liberals I agree we should have single payer. We're not going to get that. Right now we could get nine of the following ten (excluding public option). I think the other nine are worth fighting for:

1. A major expansion of Medicaid coverage—fully federally funded—for millions of low-income working families who currently fall through the cracks
2. A regulated marketplace that clamps down on insurance company abuses so people can no longer be denied coverage
3. Requirements that insurance companies spend more of the premium dollars they collecton patient care
4. Sliding-scale subsidies so middle-class, working families can afford the coverage they need to keep their families healthy
5. A strong public plan option that will provide choice, stability, and an honest yardstick to keep costs down
6. Limits on out-of-pocket spending, giving Americans real health security and peace of mind
7. Much-needed relief for small businesses so they can afford to offer coverage to their employees
8. Improvements to Medicare that will help seniors and people with disabilities afford their drugs and their cost-sharing
9. Better access to coverage for uninsured children so they can get the care they need
10. Long overdue steps to modernize the system, improve the quality of care provided, and curb unnecessary spending so our American health care system delivers the best possible care

Any bill that reaches the president's desk will have at least 6-7 of these points and would be worth signing. Of all the points I think 6. is the one my side needs to emphasize more. All of us know to the core of our being that we are simply a health care emergency away from bankruptcy. Providing a maximum out-of-pocket safety net will help millions of fully insured Americans sleep better at night.

Providing insurance to the poor and children, protecting those (like me) with pre-existing conditions, and helping small businesses afford insurance would all be icing on the cake.

I'm sure the right will find a way to label this all as evil and they'll continue to make up shit like "death panels."

In some ways I'm happy to be leaving so I can view this debate from a rational perspective instead of tuning into Rush and Hannity as I drive around.

September 15th

I've been meaning to write a post about the importance of this date. Former Clinton political guru Paul Begala beat me to it and did a better job than I could have. If you are interested in the politics of health care reform this is a must read.

Quote of the Day – Barney Frank

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Barney Frank's Town Hall Snaps
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Healthcare Protests

Finally, a congressman treating the nutcases the way they deserve to be treated.

Start of Ramadan

Since it is evening in the middle east right now should be the start to Ramadan. As Ramadan moves up each year it means the days of fasting (no food or even water) are getting longer and longer. Last year I didn't know where the break rooms were so I had sneak water sips in the bathroom. Fortunately we'll only be teaching for two weeks during Ramadan this year and next year the school year will have to start after it's over.

Imagine all McDonalds and KFC's being closed during the day. You can only buy food or drink for consumption at home. I don't know if that will mean the Hardee's drive through will be open. I'll have to check.

While many Christians give up something they love for lent I don't think many look forward to it. Most Muslims I've spoken with look forward to Ramadan with joy. While it does mean fasting during the day it is also pretty much a party all night (sans alcohol, of course). There are also lots and lots of gifts given.

As a foreigner I prefer to be out of the country during Ramadan. I appreciate the religious culture and tradition but I also like to drink water during the day. Especially when it's 120 degrees.

Mission (almost) accomplished

I had two big goals for this trip: 1. Shingle the house and, 2. Pack up my stuff. The first mission was accomplished on the two hottest, rainiest days of my trip. The second project has been more time consuming.

My life as a packrat means I've accumulated more crap than any 40 year old should be allowed. In clothes alone I could give Imelda Marcos a run for her money. Over 200 t-shirts? I'm holding myself to the five year rule (revised from the one year rule): If I haven't worn it in five years it goes to Goodwill. It's hard to hold to a one year rule when I haven't lived here for a year. Regardless, I have carload full for Goodwill.

I'm sure the guys living in my house will be relieved to finally have some room for their stuff. While I feel like I didn't get enough time to spend with friends on this trip at least it was productive.

I'm a winner!

It's not often I get to say that. The Diamond Jo prize is a $100 gift certificate to their restaurant and $50 in casino chips.

Too bad I won this just before leaving. So I'll pass it along to the guy who signs the blog "Godfather." It's probably a good idea to be in the good graces of the Godfather.

Google - One I got right

Five years ago today Google stock went public and sold for $85. At the time I thought it was undervalued and would be a great buy. Today it's over $440.

If only I had money back then... or now.

Quote of the day - David Frum

Conservative David Frum is not happy with all the references comparing Obama to Hitler, Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union, etc. He writes:

It’s not enough for conservatives to repudiate violence, as some are belatedly beginning to do. We have to tone down the militant and accusatory rhetoric. If Barack Obama really were a fascist, really were a Nazi, really did plan death panels to kill the old and infirm, really did contemplate overthrowing the American constitutional republic—if he were those things, somebody should shoot him.

But he is not. He is an ambitious, liberal president who is spending too much money and emitting too much debt. His health-care ideas are too over-reaching and his climate plans are too interventionist. The president can be met and bested on the field of reason—but only by people who are themselves reasonable.

I don't agree with his assessment of Obama but I do agree that the last couple of days have been scary. People taking guns to health care forums?

Fire up the dense right-wingers and it won't be long before another Timothy McVeigh (Oklahoma bombing) pops up.

And just like 1993, the Rush Limbaugh's of the world will say they had nothing to do with it.

Thank you Denise!

A couple of weeks ago I went to the Farmer's market with Denise. She insisted on finding the Humane Society booth. They were running a couple of different raffles so I bought a ticket. Today I received a letter saying I won the Diamond Jo package.

Now, I don't remember what the Diamond Jo package is and I'm sure I won't have time to actually use it, but winning is fun no matter what.

I might have to hold a raffle of my friends to decide who to give it to...

Christmas decorations

Let me know if you have any tacky lighted Christmas ornaments you want to get rid of. I don't like the guy who lives directly across from me so I'd like to take back the most obnoxious Christmas displays possible.

The countdown panic

At T-minus 6 days and counting I'm facing the conflict of "just what can I accomplish in the next 6 days?"

I wish I had another week, but I suspect if I had had another week I'm sure I'd wish I had one more. I am looking forward to returning to work to have some time to relax. Since I'll return during Ramadan there won't be much accomplished during the first three weeks. My students will drag themselves into the abbreviated classes and try not to pass out.

As I'm petting my dog (instead of a rabbit) I'm having visions Of Mice and Men. Tell me what it will be like to return the Emirates, Lenny... "You'll have a maid, you won't have to pump your own gas or do your own laundry... You'll have lots of free time and you'll live of the fat of the desert."

Now I hope Lenny doesn't shoot me in the back of the head.

August 16, 2008

A year ago right now I was sitting in the Moline airport waiting to fly to Chicago-Frankfurt-Dubai. I remember my feelings well: I wasn't scared as much as I was... yeah, I was scared. If I had been 0ffered a good job at Casey's the week before I'd have probably taken it.

Fortunately, my alternative was selling AFLAC. That made getting on the plane easier.

Dumb and dumbererer

I shot a friend's wedding and I'm debating which is stupider:

• Not realizing I had bought and decided to wear wool slacks (that I'll never be able to wear in the middle east).

- or -

• Wearing a brand new pair of dress shoes for 14 hours.

I think I'm living proof that "older and wiser" don't always go together.

Lesson of the day - weight and gravity matter

I have never missed the state fair. I don't think a summer would be complete without it. On this trip I did two things I haven't done in a long time: Ride the giant slide and the double ferris wheel.

I started after my friends on the giant slide but, not surprisingly, my weight matters on gravity. By the time I reached the bottom I had flown past my friends and was kinda scared I wouldn't be able to stop.

I tried hard not to scream like a little girl.

Reality check

Updated:	August 12, 2009 - 22:00 GMT+4
Conditions:	Clear
Temperature:	97°F
Wind Speed:	(SE) 11 mph
Humidity:	60%	Barometer:	29.53 in
Dewpoint:	81°F	Heat Index:

The temperature in Al Ain at 10 PM is 97 degrees.

What I don't believe is the dewpoint of 81 degrees. If the dewpoint were really that high it would be disgustingly muggy - which it is not. I've been in touch with a meterologist friend to find a hygrometer while I'm back in the US. I'd like to do a dewpoint measurement of my own.

Atlanta

Two weeks ago today I arrived in Atlanta. I spent the day with great friends Matt & Jennifer. One of our stops was a museum with an exhibition called dialogue in the dark. We were given walking canes and taken to various environments to simulate what it would be like to live blind.

At the end we had the opportunity to buy a couple of Cokes (while still in complete darkness). Like everything we did, it was a much more complicated process. A bill reader confirmed our payment and the woman, blind-in-real-life, brought us our Cokes.

As I stepped back out into the lighted world I thought of how difficult the process had been and realized that was the world for our server all day, every day.

No trip to Atlanta is complete without a trip to the Coke store. What's not pictured is a big clock Matt & Jennifer bought for me. I'll have to take a picture of it once I'm back in Al Ain.

By Altanta standards it was a very cool late July day. I decided to venture into the Olympic water fountain - water jets up in the shape of the Olympic rings. I timed it wrong and got soaked.

Atlanta is a lush green city this time of year. Very clean and the best part for me was seeing clouds. Real, definable clouds.

We drove along we saw a tank. No idea why a tank was being ferried through downtown Atlanta...

This fuzzy picture is of a chili dog I bought while waiting for my flight back to CR. While I've been back I've had a couple of hotdogs. The other night I had one at the ballpark that was so gross I'll be able wait another year before I get another one.

*****
Like the trip in February, I had a great time in Atlanta. I hope I can get reasonably priced tickets with Delta in the future. Matt & Jennifer were great hosts. Native Georgians must get sick of taking their out-of-town guests to the Coke museum, but they took it in stride.

Donate plasma vs. picking up shingles

Today is the mid-point of my trip back. I way over scheduled the first two weeks and had to cancel a trip to Minneapolis when the shingling didn't go quite as planned. Although every lunch and supper has been meeting friends/family I have still somehow missed some very close friends.

Today I should be picking up the remaining shingles but a friend called and offered to help me tonight. His originally planned to donate plasma. I guess picking up shingles is a step above donating plasma.

Next year - when I need workers for a project - I'll hang out in front of the plasma donation clinic and see who I can round up.

At least he's consistent

Update: More than one has asked for an explanation. It's Levi Johnston (the father of Sarah Palin's grandchild Trip) kissing Kathy Gifford.

Weather curse no more

I seemed to be following my weather curse as three guys toiled in the heat and rain to shingle my roof. (My contribution was cleaning shingles off the ground.) Then the lead guy reminded me that I had originally wanted it done the first week of August and that he - NOT ME - switched it to this weekend.

So there. See? I'm not bad luck after all. On Sunday night the skies in northern Iowa cleared up just in time for fireworks. People are going to want to be my friend to share in my new-found good luck.

And I'll appreciate these new friends... because none of them will remember my Flunk Day.

Pyro heaven

Many years ago Amana hosted the Pyrotechnics Guild. The show was amazing but the traffic left friends of mine waiting past 3AM to get home.

This is the show where pyrotechnics geeks flock each year to show off the latest and greatest. It was held in Mason City in 2004 and is being held there again this week.

My sister and her husband and I sat in lawn chairs in the front row. We could feel the heat from the numerous fireballs. Also we were covered in debris from the fireworks. It was an amazing experience and I am sorry I'll miss the grand finale on Friday.

This self interested sponsor is likely to have new patients after this show. The boomers were as loud and powerful as any I've ever heard.

Or maybe I'm just getting old and everything seems louder.

If you pay it they will come

Employers often say they can't find workers to do X or Y. What they're really saying is that they are not willing to pay what it would take to attract workers to do that job.

Weeks ago I asked some friends if they'd help shingle my house for $20/hour. Many volunteered, but as the weekend approached and forecast temps were in the nineties interest dried up and phone calls went unanswered.

If I had upped the price to $25 or $30 I'm sure I'd have found enough help.

******

My contribution to this project has been limited to cleaning up the ground. I've never had good balance but yesterday my head started to spin before I reached the top of the ladder.

Luck

I know it's silly to believe in luck - good or bad - but I seem to be cursed. There's fantastic weather in Iowa for six weeks in a row. The date I have planned to shingle my house it is 90 degrees and very muggy. All the shingles have been torn off by two friends and I am (slowly) rounding up the refuse. I came to check radar and it appears we'll be hit by light rain in about an hour.

I'm pretty sure I'm living a country song, "If it weren't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all..."

In the interest of fairness...

Andrew posted this and I feel obligated as well. You have to click on the pic to see them all clearly. I liked the 80's block letter Coke.

Trying to be polite

A former colleague asked if I'd return to work at Kaplan if the administration changed. She saw a perpexled look on my face and said, "Maybe you need some time on that one."

Surprised, I replied, "Oh, I was just trying to come up with a polite way of saying, 'Hell no.'"

Motley Cow

Over the next couple of days I hope to catch up on many missed posts... including a great day in Atlanta.

Shortly after arrival I joined HS friends Ann and Aaron at the Motley Cow in Iowa City. The meal was OK, but I was more than a little loopy. (This was the place I almost used a urinal as a sink.) Little did I know that another friend was at the Atlas at the same time eating a table away from Kirk Ferentz.

Judging my doggy bag

I am happy to be back in Iowa where service is leaps and bounds better than it is in the Emirates.

Mostly happy, that is.

I joined friends at the Sushi house. I'm not a sushi fan but ordered it anyway and choked down ate half the meal. I asked for a doggy bag to take the rest for my Dad to try. After I put the food in the container a waiter stopped, opened it, looked, shook his head and walked away.

I've never had my take home bag judged by a waiter. I can't say I appreciated it.

Code words

The seven day tour of breakfast and lunch and dinner with friends has had one consistent comment: "You, umm, are looking good."

They could have as easily said, "You are obviously getting fed..."

Or, "You know, chunky looks pretty good on you."

Consistently great

Courtesy: Andrew Sullivan

Too planned out

When I came back in January I didn't make any plans to see people. And for the first few days I had little to do. This time I made plans to cover the first week. Too many plans.

While it's been great to see everyone I'm exhausted.

It may also have something to do with forgetting to take my thyroid medicine for the past week.

*****

The weather gods must have finally realized I was back in Iowa. I made plans to have my house shingled on Saturday and now the temps will be in the 90's. Greeaat...

July weather

By now everyone in Cedar Rapids has heard that July was the coldest July ever.

Here is the new top 5:

1. 2009: 66.2
2. 2004: 69.9
3. 1992: 70.0
4. 1962: 70.2
5. 1971: 70.5

Notice how the previous cold years are bunched together... only tenths of a degree apart. Then 2009 shattered the record by 3.7 degrees. That's amazing.

Also amazing is that for five days the high did not reach 70 and the average high in CR was only 76.

It was a cool July in Al Ain as well. The average high was 114.

How blogs die

Back in February I was stunned that Cedar Rapids had 1100 registered bloggers. As I trolled from blog to blog I found that most had been abandoned long ago. The common theme in the dead blogs was lack of daily posting.

In the one year I've had this blog I've never gone two days - let alone three - without a post. My bad.

A short (hopefully not too defensive) explanation: On Thursday & Friday I had many errands and things to do with Ann before she headed to New York for August. Plus my sleep was terrible. I'm not sure if it was jet lag or excitement of being back.

The lack of sleep made me loopy. Ann and I had dinner (with no alcohol - relevant to the story) with a HS friend in Iowa City. I went to the bathroom. After doing my business I came within inches of trying to use the urinal next to mine to wash my hands.

It's amazing what lack of sleep can do to a person.

My promise is that this blog will return to regular posting.

And I'll try not to confuse urinal cakes with soap.