Yesterday, the Thriller said, “You are going to enjoy this.” He was right. I am looking forward to it. Twelve hours in the car alone, tunes blasting, singing at the top of my little lungs…it will be therapy for me, and the solitude always does a body good.

In case you weren’t aware, I’m speaking at a convention at a university outside Lincoln. And of course, I am driving. Because, well, you know.

I’ll also be passing right through your old stomping grounds, BoomR! I think I-80 goes through Des Moines, yes?

My grandfather was born and raised in North Platte. I’ve been through Nebraska once in my life, but don’t really remember anything about it. Anyone care to comment on it? I know it’s a lot of flat land; having spent some years in northern Illinois, I’m OK with that. In fact, I’d prefer to drive flat than mountainous any day anyhow.

Regardless, it will be fun. And the room they provided me is air conditioned. How about that. (That is not the norm, from what I’ve seen of many midwestern college dorms.)

Much to do in the meantime, though. Jakey today, dinner & movie with the Thriller tonight, breakfast with my good fiend Bando tomorrow, dinner & movie with Kay tomorrow night, then road trip on Saturday morning. Somewhere in there, I have to actually pack a suitcase or two.

Yesterday, I went to PayLess with Mavis and bought 5 pairs of shoes for $45. OK, so two pairs were from the little girls’ aisle, but still…

Have a snappy day there, luvs.

Fink out.

After my epiphany yesterday, things look different today. Better. I listened to “Ooh, Child” by the Stair Steps this morning. Fellow crusties will remember that song. It was a good way to start the morning. Things are gonna get easier…

So what’s up for everyone this day? I need to get me a book on Joomla. (Actually, it’s not a *whole* lot different than WordPress.) I plan to do some major transformation on my district site, for which I am the humble webslave. Time to change some stuff.

Off to the showers and the school house. Have a goody, my wonderful fiends. And you know who you are.

FO

Photo: MissouriSkies.org

e·piph·a·ny: A sudden manifestation of the essence or meaning of something.

!

Yep. That’s what I just experienced. The last four days have not been good. Lots of crazy emotional stuff going on. But this morning, I had an epiphany.

That makes this day, and the coming trip to Nebraska next week, easier to deal with.

Did you ever have an epiphany? It’s a hard word to type. Try it.

Share.

Wouldn’t you like to ride…

This weekend was the Ashland Balloonfest.

The traditional Friday night Balloon Glow is a sight to behold. Balloonists from all over the country set up their pretties in Freer Field, directly behind the Ashland County Children’s Home, and on cue, they fire ’em all up. I didn’t go this time, but I’ve been in past years; it’s a definite “ooh, ahh” moment.

Yesterday morning, after I wrote my Diprivan post, I relaxed and read the news over coffee. At around 8:00, I heard loud hissing sounds outside. At first I was confused; what was that noise anyhow? It was only after Rousseau began a massive wig-out that I realized what was up: the 4th of July Balloon Flight was happening right above my house, and the sounds I heard were the pilots releasing the powerful flame jets to control the altitude of their inflatable ships.

I grabbed the camera, and while alternately snapping photos and trying to shut up a totally ballistic dog on the front porch, I saw these beautiful images:

Gorgeous 65-degree morning, clear sky…stunning scenery on my street. Nice. Had a great time at the party last night, too. Bonus: saw Lars play in a band before the fireworks at the local football stadium. My kids are beast.

Oh, and Rousseau needed a nap after all the excitement. Drama queen, sheesh.

Have yourselves a nice Sunday, fiends.

Fink out.

Balloon glow photo: Tom Puskar, Ashland Times-Gazette