The days are just packed.

A full day, this one.

I had a programming appointment at 9:30 that went very well. It was explained to me that the programming is a balancing act between the manual functions I want to (or need to) perform. In other words, the programming can be optimized for writing, speech, eating, drinking, playing the guitar - any number of functions. The trick is to adjust the programming to strike a balance I'm comfortable with.

"No sweat", I tell them. "Just turn me into a combination of Eric Clapton and Tiger Woods." Howls of derisive laughter.

I'm reminded of Les Paul, who, after a serious auto accident back in the '50s, had his right arm fused in the guitar playing position.

At any rate, I performed quite a number of everyday tasks, and we left the programming as it was when I felt most confident as to what I could do. It's definitely the steadiest I've been in 25 years. Muy bien.

I then did a final follow-up with Dr. Lee (the surgeon) and Deb, his nurse. He was genuinely excited at the success of the procedure, and had me performing tasks (drinking, writing, dialing a phone) as if I were a trained seal. He is a happy man who LOVES what he does.

I left Rochester at about 1:00 this afternoon, with plans to stay in Des Moines tonight. No problems until I selected a hotel - a Quality Inn on University Avenue. The desk clerk (a Mr. Patel) informed me that I was getting the last room, as the Iowa Pork Producer's Council, or some such, was having their convention this week.

Now, I've seen fleabag hotel rooms before, but this one...good heavens, the pillowcases hadn't even been laundered...words fail me...indescribable! I went back to the office, the offending pillow joining me, and checked OUT! Checks of two other Des Moines hotels confirmed the fact that I wasn't staying in the Capital city tonight.

I'm now in a Super 8 (!) 80 miles south of Des Moines in Lamoni. Bucolic farm town. Mr. Patel (!) at the desk tells me that there are three places to eat: Pizza Hut, Subway, and Ruby's Family Inn. And if I want a beer, I'll have to get a six-pack at the Kum & Go next door.

Guh.

Lamoni is a college town, sort of, being the home of Graceland University. (!) I decide to take my chances close to the campus with Subway. As I near the location, I see a place called "Characters Pub & Grill" that's open. Now why didn't Mr. Patel mention this obvious gem? Adventurous me decides to check it out.

It turns out that Characters is quite the place for burgers, wings & beer. Rick, the owner, has won "Best Wings" at the Iowa State Fair three years running; had the trophies to prove it. They were to die for. I filled up on a better-than-average burger and a couple of cold ones. Rick was a genial host, and the food was excellent. Couldn't have asked for better anywhere. To top it off, Rick and "Tiny" (a regular - you can't make this stuff up!) invited me back for their Thursday Night Texas Hold 'Em game at 10:00. $20 buy-in. Prolly won't make that, though.

It's nearly 9:45. I'm going to read for a bit. I'll finish up tomorrow.

Thanks for your interest,
Tom

June Is Bustin' Out All Over

It's 10 'til six, and I've made landfall in room 773.

Minnesota is like one's dog. No matter what sort of day/week/month/year I might have had, what transgressions I might have committed in the intervening time between visits, what travails might have befallen me, Minnesota welcomes me! The sign says so. Nice to know.

I'm back in Rochester to reprogram my neurostimulator to eliminate the tremors as completely as possible. Enough time has elapsed since the surgery that all swelling of the brain should be gone. I have regressed since the initial programming in April, but I was told that would happen. I've got my handy-dandy remote at the ready, with all voltage tweaks that I've done duly noted on the official scorecard provided me. The adventure begins again at 9:30 tomorrow.

I made the trip by myself this time. Completely unremarkable, except for the remarkable gas mileage I managed in my S2000. She outdid herself; nearly 30 MPG! I would attribute this to exceedingly skillful driving, but it seems more likely the result of a day-long 30+ MPH tailwind. Just the same, atta girl.

It's interesting to note that the farther north I drove, the cheaper the gas became. That's the direct opposite of the way it used to be.

The obligatory Rest Stop shot. Compare to February 26 and March 19.

It's now 9:15. I'm looking forward to tomorrow, but I'm gassed. Ready for the Biz bag. In my younger days, I could drive forever without fatigue; not anymore. Nine & 1/2 hours and I'm through. I've had a burger and a beer at Newt's, and a visit to Barnes & Noble yielded a copy of The Dangerous Book for Boys. I'm taking it into my man-cave to bed with me. I'll post again tomorrow.

Thanks for your interest,
Tom