American Lunch

Today I enjoyed a great lunch at the local Hy-Vee. For a past or present resident of 1017 High Street, Hy-Vee carries the ultimate American meals - especially when hungover. For instance, you can not beat their $3.99 daily lunch special. Impossible to beat. Spaghetti and Sauce Dinner, 3-Wing Dinner, Noodles and Mashed Potato Dinner. . . and there are more. I took advantage of the Sandwich and Soup Special for a whopping total of $4.27. They also offer an all-you-can eat deal for $7.49. Unbeatable home-cooked meals.

During my lunch, I overheard and saw an American interaction. An older married couple were sitting adjacent to me munching on the special of the day - 3-wing Dinner. As I was reading the newspaper, the husband was bantering the wife attempting to make her feel idiotic for not listening to a previous conversation they had earlier had: "Weren't you right next to me?" "Didn't you hear what he said about the insurance?"
This went on for a bit before another older lady walked up and said hi (I was unsure what type of lunch she had ordered, but I would guess it was the Meatloaf Dinner). The couple began to discuss gambling and how they made $740 on 60 cents at Prairie Meadows Casino in Des Moines. Immediately the contempt they held for each other was gone and a 5-minute conversation ensued about their gambling adventures, which included reference to the infamous Meskwaki in Tama, IA.

The battle between husband and wife ended over the 3-wing Dinner due to the discussion of a vice - gambling. Simply American.

AZ ---> IA

I rode halfway across the country early this past August. The 3 day trip consisted of close to 24 hours of driving counting the 2 time zones I crossed. Although 2 months late, here are the highlights of the solo road trip:

Liberal, KS
- Think Odessa, TX from Friday Night Lights, only smaller scale and in south Kansas. The school, which won state titles in 1992, 1994, 1995, and 1997, presents a decent size stadium and proud tradition. A sign with the winning seasons and this years schedule greets visitors as they enter parking lot adjacent to the field - name Jerame Tuman Field. Tuman played at Michigan and was a member of the Super Bowl XL Champion Steelers.


- Home to Dorothy's House from the Wizard of Oz. Yes, this is true. Signs everywhere, pointing in the exact direction and location of the house. It was a little much. Called the Land of Oz. Yes, a little much.


Donut Shop in Guymon, Ok
- After receiving my morning sprinkle donut and coffee, the waitress told me to watch out for the sheriff,knowing he had been in the shop earlier that morning. She said, "He's got a hard-on for out-of-staters." Sure enough, 3 miles down the road a car with an Illinois license plate was pulled over. Thank god for the heads up.

People driving old cop cars
- Simply put, they suck. How I am suppose to set the cruise 20 mph over the speed limit when all sorts of characters are rollin' the interstate with converted old cop cars? Ridiculous. Horrible decision to buy one. Quit fucking with the American people.

Too many historic sites
- Couldn't see them all. Disappointed in myself.

Keystone Light Truck
- A Midwest and personal favorite. Truck read, "Keystone Light. . . Parties Happen." Awesome. Sums up life (especially if you're an alcoholic).