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