Saturday, September 13, 2008

This Week

Moogie continues to grow.  He still gets right up in my face and is very personable.  He likes to play rodeo and we enjoy getting rowdy.  He now responds to voice commands such as, “Moogie, get Alan!”  He’s a smart one, it’s quite unusual for a calf to play on voice command.

Moogie
This week was the big homecoming football game in Huron.  The playing fields are my next door neighbor; the sounds of coach whistles and the marching band are commonplace.  The stadium was packed, and I enjoyed the game. 

The Huron Tigers at play
Another memorable event this week was the customer appreciation dinner at the warehouse of the local seed dealer.  As I was taking photos, Kayla (daughter of Garst dealer) asked me what I was doing.  I said, “This is a party about seeds, yes?”
“Yeah - so why are you taking pictures.”
“It’s a party about seeds.”
She looked puzzled, I continued, “I’ve been to fundraisers, band parties, album release parties, wedding parties, birthday parties, but never a party about seeds.”
“Oh….”  she thought about it and nodded.  She took my arm and escorted me into the warehouse where I enjoyed food, fun, and at one point I was acknowledged for my contributions to the operation.  I helped as a fill-in worker for a couple weeks this spring.


The Garst party gets started as the sun hits the horizon

Inside the warehouse, Mitch likes to wrestle - Brenda is a talker

All is well in South Dakota.
Posted by Alan in 05:00:00 | Permalink | Comments (2)

Friday, September 5, 2008

Traveling

I’ve been traveling for the last couple of weeks, and am happy to report that I’ve arrived home safely.  My time away held a wide variety of activities; everything from getting a special Merchant Marine ID card from the Department of Homeland Security, to enjoying birthday cake with family.  One of the more ironic moments was backstage at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand.  I was doing my best to stay in the shadows and watch my friend Paul “Rock Out” in front of an enthusiastic crowd.

Paul Eckberg - Drummer
The stagehands working the event were old friends from my days at the network, they were happy to see me and we enjoyed our brief reunion.  We told stories and enjoyed the “good old days” once again.  After leaving the Minnesota State Fair, I attended the South Dakota State Fair.  As you can imagine, the atmosphere of the two events is quite different.

The anchor tattoo: cliche - but fun
The farm feel of the South Dakota Fair was welcoming, so welcoming that I indulged and got a tattoo.  Not to worry, it was inexpensive and washed off a couple days later - but it was fun while it lasted. 

Time with friends at the lake was the ideal way to close out my vacation. 
It was good to enjoy Mom’s brownies with fudge icing, laugh with old friends, and be thankful for another birthday.  I know I’m getting old, but I can’t seem to act my age.  Maybe next year I’ll grow up, but for now, I’m having too much fun to change anything.
Posted by Alan in 05:00:00 | Permalink | Comments (5)