There is much talk of fallen priests' impact on the Catholic church. What about the health and well-being of your friendly, neighborhood photojournalist?
On another note...
As I plan my travels for the summer, I'm finding it's easier to grow my own wings than afford a plane ticket out of Des Moines. Still, I continue to use bestfares.com to get me out of town. Others don't seem to have cheaper fares and Orbitz, well... I don't need to book 'em if the feds are on it.
I'm adding another voice here soon, and I'm looking for others who have something to say (or pictures to show) of life in Des Moines. Sure, others are talking. Eloquently.
But I want to share my space...
Hit me to explore collaboration.
This week it's Jamiroquai at the 1995 Montreux Jazz Festival -- back in the day when Stuart Zender was in the band. Enjoy!
Because inquiring minds want to know...
Just eating breakfast at the Cafe Deluxe in Decorah would have justified the four-hour drive from Des Moines this weekend.
But I enjoyed a crisp, sunny Saturday afternoon paddling down the Upper Iowa river with 12 great friends. And it was surreal to walk out of my tent onto snow on Sunday morning. Much fun. A recharge.
Jon Gaskell continues to shoot straight, and his feature hits the mark again this week.
I have a similar tale of woe that I'm not sharing publicly, but I will say this...
Leadership is an opportunity for advancing others. And this town is going nowhere until more people -- especially those with the authority -- get some fucking candor and defer a bit more self interest.
I'm an optimist, but my eyes are wide open.
The Sunday Songs are from The White Stripes. No set list; just listen to this duo...
A sure sign of spring, besides the invasion of the suburban assault geese, is my annual spring kayak trip down the Upper Iowa river.
Sure, Des Moines has scenic water nearby, but not like this.
In an effort to tidy my lawn today, I retrieved the following from the suddenly tall grass:
Yes, my yard *really* needed cleaning (hey, it's been windy lately), but I can't help being saddened by the whole mess. Particularily as I finished the cleanup only to watch one motorist let their Burger King cup fly out the window as they rounded my corner like I wasn't even standing there with my garbage bag. Or maybe it was *because* I was standing there with my garbage bag. Hmm...
Perhaps I should start throwing trash at my neighbors...
"Whoever expects to remain ignorant and free expects what never was and never will be."
-- Thomas Jefferson
It's a beautiful day. You shouldn't be listening to Internet radio, but, for those of you indoors, I'm sending out the East Bay Grease on this glorious Sunday.
Safety first.
The radio station is *down* while I'm away for a bit.
Stay tuned for a new Sunday setlist.
Today, I saw geese flying north. And I wore sandals all evening.
Radio fans: I'll be adding another band to the local playlist soon...
For those of you tuning in to the radio station on a regular basis, I'm going to start messing with the setlist on Sundays...
Today I'm streaming Me'shell Ndegéocello's "Peace Beyond Passion"...
A Tear And A Smile
Bittersweet
Deuteronomy- Niggerman
Free My Heart
God Shiva
Leviticus- Faggot
Make Me Wanna Holler
Mary Magdalene
Stay
The Way
The Womb
Who Is He And What Is He To You
Anyone else tiring of the Middle East media swarm? The battle is so tired. And sad. Good thing everyone in Des Moines gets along... (wink, wink; nudge, nudge)
What bugs me is the imbalanced coverage, due in part to scared reporters with limited access. Perhaps Israel has gone too far this time?
Oh well, at least it's a warm and sunny Friday free from giant bugs.
I wish I knew more about agriculture, and, thus, will be interested to know what other city folk have to say about agriculture this month.
...something about sacred cows.
And I don't care if it's snowing raisins tonight, the funk goes on and on...
Sempervirent!
Sometimes, without warning, the energy gets sucked right out of me and I have to sit down.
Oh, the humanity.
A farmer produces abundance from seed.
A hunter ventures out to kill and drag the spoils home.
I'm beginning to think there are no more farmers in Iowa.