Change
Despite my best efforts, I was really stressed-out by my move from Des Moines to Iowa City. Not sure why I expected myself to be superwoman. My realtor tells me that moving is one of the great stressors. Moving to another town is a bigger stressor.
I’m lucky that I used to live in Iowa City. I thought this would make me less stressed-out and it is nice to know how to get around. There are so many elements to moving, getting around is just one of them. The rest are still there.
Adjusting to a big change is still there. That is my current struggle. I loved my house and neighborhood in Des Moines so much. Not that I don’t like where I moved. It’s just not what I had--if that makes any sense. I’m sure it does.
Whine
Of all the things I dislike doing. Packing to move is in the top 10.
Blues On Grand
On Saturday night, I saw
Joe Louis Walker at
Blues On Grand in Des Moines. Fantastic show. Chris went with me. We arrived as the first set started around 9:40 and stayed through to the end of the third set. I got home after 2:00AM and can't remember the last time I stayed out that late.
I am not a music reviewer. The best I can say is that I had a great time and enjoyed some fantastic blues. Chris, on the other hand, could write a review of the show. I listened politely to his comments (what I could hear over the music) and was amused by what I can best call "amplifier envy". Apparently Joe Louis Walker has one of the best amps a person can get.
Blues On Grand is a great venue. The staff, facility, location--everything--makes for a good blues club. Sitting in the middle of the place, I noticed a sign on the wall, "Live music may be loud. Ear plugs available at the bar." I couldn't help but wonder what would happen if I requested ear plugs.
Graffiti was everywhere. The bathrooms had the usual gossip, drunken philosophy, phone numbers and artwork. A sticker on the mirror above the sink read, "Please do not hang clothes over two-way mirror."
Chris observed that he thought Joe Louis Walker wasn't feeling well that night. Joe told the audience that the band had been touring Europe and recently kicked off the US tour in Omaha. Followed by "Minneapolis?" He said with a question. Then followed up with, "and now we are playing in YOUR TOWN." Later on in the show he referred to Des Moines as "this town".
Big Daddy Elijah, the tour manager, announced the intermission saying, "We'll be back in 30 minutes, so get some drinks and buy my CD's." I asked Big Daddy how much the CD's were. He told me $20 a piece. "Twenty dollars!" I exclaimed and asked, "How much if I buy two?" He said, "Forty dollars". I looked at him questioningly and he said, "Thirty dollars for two."
I bought "Playin' Dirty", the new release, and "Preacher and the President".
When the show was over, I went to the ladies room. Chris was talking to the keyboard player when I exited the bathroom. I couldn't help but ask why Joe Louis Walker never said Des Moines. I was told that he didn't want to mess up the pronunciation. Chris and I thought that was a very PC way of saying he couldn't remember where he was.
If you ever get a chance to see Joe Louis Walker, you will hear some of the best blues by a legend in the making.
Mmmmmm....Morels!
I was shopping at the Dahl's on Fleur Drive yesterday. They had morel mushrooms! And my did they look good. So, I bought a package for $6.40. As I was going through the checkout the young woman behind the register asked me if they are worth $19.99/pound. "Oh yes they are!" I replied with great enthusiasm.
It is THAT time of year again. Morel mushrooms can be found in wooded areas in the Spring (here in the Midwest). I've seen people come back with a precious few while others fill baskets full. Here is a link to "
The Great Morel Home Page". Hunting is not for the novice, it's important to know the difference between poisenous mushrooms and the great morel. With that said, here's a link to the "
Edible and Poisenous Mushroom Page".
There are a variety of things one can do with morels from a culinary standpoint. I like to saute them and serve with quinoa. Mmmmmm, so good.
The Move
I have done major moves twice in the past two years--adding another one this month. Then I hope I am settled for a while.
Least to say, while I don't consider myself a pro, I have a good amount of experience with moving companies. I got estimates from three and based my selection on a combination of price and gut feeling.
The company I decided to go with is a family-owned agent for Wheaton. The salesperson pulled up in front of my house in his Lincoln. He was a well-dressed older gentleman. He got all my information and we chatted for a while.
Turns out he sold the company to his children who are in the process of acquiring another moving company in Nebraska. Being a true salesperson, he recounted how he hates filling out paperwork and that Nebraska has a lot of it. So, the children were tied up with this and asked him to come help with estimates this week. Hence the older guy with the Town Car.
This company is booked-up the entire week of May 14. However, the following week is wide open.
Talked to my future boss and he will be on vacation May 21-30. A 25th anniversary trip to Hawaii with his wife. Turns out that my delay isn't a big deal.
True Confession
It was 1976, the bicentennial year in the USA. It was also the year the Starland Vocal Band released "Afternoon Delight".
Thirty years later, the song comes up on my iPod and brings a big smile to my face. Thirty years ago, videos were lame and their's was no different.
I have no great explanation for the smile on my face. I just like the song.
