Where the Wind Comes Sweeping Down the Plain

We're headed to Oklahoma - tomorrow. It will be my first time there. Oh we've driven through the corner before, but that doesn't really count. We're going Norman, Oklahoma to attend the ISU vs. Oklahoma Sooners football game. Why would we want to do that? I know - it's been a rough year for our beloved team. Sucky, in fact. We'll think of this as our bowl game - in Norman.


Ryan - the cutie on the right

Our friends the McKims and the Conovers will be going. Ryan McKim, Don and Diana's son is on the staff for the Sooners after working for ISU since 2006 in various roles. Oh he tried quitting his football habit - graduated college with a degree in Biology and all. He even took a year off, worked at a bank and tried coaching high school football and working at jobs the 'ol home town - Creston.

Then the NCAA coaching siren song (and ISU Coach Paul Rhoads) proved too strong. So Ryan - who is daughter Amy's age (We call him number 2 - because he was ranked 2nd in their class while Amy was numero uno - McKims call her cheater, but they don't really mean it) went back to work as a graduate assistant in 2012. Translated that means low pay and long hours doing the thing you love.

Last summer Ryan got an opportunity to jump ship - to take a real paid position with the Oklahoma Sooners as an assistant special teams coach. Iowa State doesn't even have such a position! So he loaded up the Malibu and moved to Beverly - um Norman. Leaving behind his girlfriend, Laura and all of us Cyclone groupies. But we're happy for the kid! Ryan is living with a video guy and seeing what life coaching football beyond Iowa is like. Saturday we'll get to see him in action - as he helps his team most likely kick our team's butts.

Dwight and Marilyn Conover will be there - along with their son Phil. Laura (the GF) is coming too - along with her parents. It should be a fun group of Ryan and ISU supporters! I'm sure I'll report more later.

When we get back from Oklahoma, we'll rush right up to Ames to see the men's basketball team take on Michigan. Former Coach Johnny Orr will be there along with commentator Dick Vitale - his first ever visit to Ames. Then for the topper of the weekend - our pals Robyn and Julia will be in town. We get to get together with them. Can't wait!

More tidbits:

Amy gave me this cool bank for my birthday. I'm starting to fill it up for my next big adventure!

 

While shopping at Costco tonight, I noticed the piano man (no not Billy Joel) had this baby for sale. Note the buttons and whistles. If I would have had this instrument back when I took piano lessons I could have just pushed buttons and pretended to practice. I wonder if it plays chopsticks? So probably a good thing that wooden piano we had (that Betsy scratched her name in with a nail) didn't have buttons...

Clavanova Jr.

I received my DNR security card one of the first weeks I worked there - nearly five years ago now.

The card allows me to enter the Wallace Building through the west door, but has never worked at the North door. I finally emailed the Director's Administrative Assistant to ask what the scoop was. I suggested that perhaps it is my unfortunate hairdo in this photo that prevented building access. Karen emailed Capitol Security (yeah - they're like cops, but at the Capitol), and they said I really didn't have any levels on my card. Geez. I've seen worse hair than that around the joint. Anyway - now I've got 113 Access - whatever that means. No new photo though.

Thanks to Sarah Carper Darby at Sahar for fixing me up with a new hairdo about a week after this pic was taken - and for keeping me on the better hair path since then. It IS more work. I can't just wash and wear - but it's worth it. 

Got my hair did

Yep, I went to the fancy schmancy salon in West Des Moines to get my hair done, instead of the beauty parlor in Creston to get my hair did. It was quite the experience. I'd have to say about the only things Sahar's and Hair House have in common are the gossipy magazines you get to read while your hair is doing its color thing. Here's the link: http://www.sahars.com/

When I walked in the door just before 5 PM I was ready for something different. Until one year ago I spent the past ten years going to Hair Designers in Corning - Sherry was nice, and did a fine job with my hair - but she never got too crazy. When I took the job up here, I had to break up with her. It was just too much driving to go to Corning for my hair.

So I tried Amber at Hair House at my friend Patti's (she just turned Granny yesterday - congrats! Evelyn was born to Caleb and wife Charlotte on 3/16) recommended her). But a few weeks ago Amber moved to Burlington with her husband - so I tried Woody at hair house. He's gay - I know, I am totally stereotyping - but shouldn't he be a natural? NOT. I got a mullet.

Diana and Nancy both highly recommended Sarah Darby - married to Casee Piel's former HS BF, Lucas. And what a cutee he was, back in the day when I worked at Gits and CHS played in the state tourney. D and Nan said Sarah was a whiz who would tell it to me straight. And did she!

The top of your hair looks like a loaf of bread she said - like small town stylists cut it. I don't know why they do that, she pondered. You've got a couple styles going on?!? Do you like this color? Do you want it short? Yes I do I said. But not much input on end. I like the end product and like her. She's a pistol. And it wasn't much more than it costs in Creston. And I'm worth it.