The first day of school.

Ah. The first day of school. Truly one of the most anticipated days of my year, the first day of school has always haunted and thrilled me simulataneously. I love the idea of it: new outfit, fresh pens, crisp folders (color coded for each class of course) and the anticipation of another year. When the actual day comes, it always seems to go a little less than perfectly. Suddenly the new outfit doesn't look as good, the color coded folder system doesn't work out or I stub my toe on the base of a fan and break it. (Yes that happened this morning, and no- I broke my toe, I think, not the fan.) So although this morning I'm only working the first day of school, not actually attending class, it's the same story... Hooray for the new year, damn my toe.

Meme me.

Just because I need a break from work (and because I've seen all my blog friends describe theirs)...here are 8 things about me that you might not know:

1- I think of recipes as flexible guides, not food rules. I've tried cooking with them and I can't do it. I get excited with the garlic salt, want to add some cheese or want to skip the olives all together...I like to think of myself as the MacGyver of cuisine.
2- I don't know left from right, well at least I don't know it well. It's embarassing, but it's true. When I first started driving, my mom and I were out practicing and I turned "right" into the "left" lane. I ended up facing oncoming traffic on the shoulder of the road with my mom laughing in fear and me crying. I got out of the car and refused to drive home. I also give directions using "turn my way" or "go that way" and have mastered the subtle art of making an L with your hands to find your left.
3- I won't look in the mirror in the dark. Ever.
4- I miss sharing a room. Late night talks, someone to blame the mess on, etc. Nothing's better than that.
5- I often wish I were a contestent on American Idol.
6- I love airports. Most people can't wait to leave them, but I like the way everything seems so permanent and temporary all at the same time. The constant flow of people, the weird things you can buy, the starbucks at every gate and the noise excite me. I also wonder frequently what it would be like to work there...
7- I have never been skinny dipping.
8- While cooking MacGyver-style, I dance around the kitchen. Without music.

Exhausted...whew.

This weekend was too fun! I'm exhausted!

Went back to the fair last night and enjoyed the sunset on the grandstand chairs...

One more thing....

"Bright light city gonna set my soul, gonna set my soul on fire."---Elvis.

The Vegas vacation and wedding extravaganza has come and gone and let me tell you...it was a surreal place. I'm not sure I can even describe the experience, but here are some pics...

The Iowa State Fair.

As the Iowa State Fair rolled into town last Thursday; the excitement was literally palpable, and so was the heat. As I think about my minor obsession with all things fair, let me pause here for a small Laura explanation: For the few of you who read this and know me...you may be thinking, "Laura and the state fair?"

This is a question I have pondered for three years my friends.

I love the smell of crisp cotton shirts floating on dark wooden hangers, soft wool trousers sashaying seductively on the rack, and leather handbags regally draped across entire department store walls. The melodious hum of the escalator soothes my aching soles and soul. The sweet high of bargin hunting, the thrill of the dressing room victory (in with eight, out with at least two purchases) and shoes truly make my mouth water.

After describing my refined taste, you may be surprised to learn that I desperately crave the glow of the midway as the tilt-a-whirl screetches round it's axis. I love the way your ankles sweat as you walk in and out of the rows of people without shirts, sporting sculpted mullets and portrait tatoos. I gauk at the vivid primary colors of the sky ride and it's riders as it traverses overhead from one fair end to the next, shoes, bags and tank tops hanging out of the steel basket. I savor the taste of grease on my lips after eating a corn dog, cheese curds and deep fried oreos. I come home with bags full of propagandic magnets for hospitals, political candidates, and lawn care businesses, posters for every Iowa college sport and smearing spin-arts. I climb gleefully up the stairs of a tractor with a wheel diameter taller than me, get my photo snapped seated in the driver's chair and quickly move to do so in the combine. I have, unconsciously, become a fair lover.

Don't get me wrong...I still complain about the heat, mock those wearing fanny packs too large to be called one and despise the smell of the sheep barn. I obviously prefer the Gap to the 4-H building, but I love the Iowa State Fair.

Blue ribbon winning Banana Peppers.

The glow of the setting sun through the sky ride.

The bright lights of fair nights.

Prize winning seed art. Next year I plan to top the category (although I think it's for teenagers)

Ah. The butter cow. Complete with Harry Potter glasses.

Bring on the butter cow...

The Iowa State Fair starts Thursday. I am churning with excitement.

Hello Iowa.

It is simply sweaty outside. I walked out of my apartment this morning and the hallway was foggy. It was like the dry air-conditioned air from my apartment escaped into the thick humidity of the hall and some sort of Meteorological phenomenon occured indoors. The miracle of the Iowa summer. As my weather lady says in the morning we are experiencing "weather you can wear" today. At least I'm inside, shoeless, sweat-free and working.

Oh Friday.

EB White said "I arise in the morning torn between a desire to save the world and a desire to savor the world. That makes it hard to plan the day."




I just love the idea of savoring the world.


I'll savor some of my world for you this weekend in photographs.
Enjoy a happy one.

(one of the many postcards sent this week!)

Today is poetry.

I woke up this morning to the sound of resurfacing road equipment dragging along the dewy pavement and clanking against the curb. My shower felt especially refreshing as the hot water steamed up the tiles, clearing my formally congested chest. I dressed in a jade colored sweater, piled on bright green mascara and slipped into my favorite nine west peep toe heels.
Hooray! I'm cured. Aside from a raspy voice (that Phoebe of Friends would truly admire) I am feeling like a new person today--I even lasted an entire day at the office!
It feels like a Thursday...tempting me with the approaching weekend. I can't wait to enjoy the early August sun this weekend.

A little Walt Whitman to get the health streak back on track:

"I know I am solid and sound,
To me the converging objects of the universe perpetually flow,
All are written to me, and I must get what the writing means."
(from Song of Myself)

That is awesome. simply awesome.
Happy August.

(did you know that august means "to be profoundly honored" like a revered holy man or king...ironic how most people hate August because it ends the sweet sweat of summer and starts the sticky first days of school where it is too hot to be in the linoleum coated classrooms...)

Sick of Sick.

ugh.
It's been a long while since my last post and, honestly, sadly, disappointingly, or whatever, not much has happened since then. As you have probably gathered, however, today I am feeling particularly sour because I'm still sick. It began Saturday, helping them move. I could feel the dust clinging to my pores and slowly coating my throat. I could feel the dry air, like daggers, scraping my throat at the onset of what the allergy medication box calls "itchy, watery eyes."
Sunday the "itchy, watery eyes" became warm, uncomfortable skin and thick, clogged chest. Monday was sweaty, shaky hands and stinging, deep cough. Today I'm feeling sharp, firey throat and sore, fatigued muscles. My love seat in the apartment has gotten smaller and smaller as the days have gone on and the movies I've watched (and there are a good eight) have gotten less funny...
It's time to get well.

I hope to have happier notes to report soon.