I haven’t posted for about a week. In some ways that’s because Iowa is pleasantly peaceful and a slower-pace, so there’s been nothing hugely significant to post about. However, looking back, here’s the highlights:


- a week ago or so Senator Teddy Kennedy was buried. The last of the Kennedy brothers, it’s the closest thing the Americans have had to ‘royalty’. I was interested to see how it was covered as I remember the deeply flawed and troubled Diana being turned into a purest Saint in a matter of days. Ironically, it was reasonably fair, his many faults and scandals weren’t glossed over and like the other Kennedy’s his various biographies covered the highs and lows that defined him. It was eye-opening to see the energy and time he did put into many, many bills that helped the poor, the sick and the disenfranchised . It might not balance the scales, but there’s no denying that in his latter years he did do a lot of good - particularly in his hopes for health reform. I find it ironic that the Far Right is now saying that passing the Obama Health Care bill (that he fought for,)wouldn’t be a tribute to Kennedy at all, but making a mockery of his final days and playing politics. I mean…seriously?

- Big Gay Winston knows how to projectile slobber. It’s as impressive as it is disgusting and can only be fully appreciated with its stereo-soundtrack as well.

- demolition derbys are kinda cool. One of the Labor Day weekend celebrations was such a derby and there’s something therapeutic about watching cars smash into each other as long as no-one gets hurt. Got some nice pix of such with my zoom lens.

- the macro camera-lenses finally arrived from eBay. I’ve taken some pretty good close-up shots of the weird and wonderful insects that are around here. Spiders, grasshoppers, bees, locusts… strange yellow things. I feel like Darwin

- Fox News‘ Glen Beck. Never in the history of watching news channels have I so wanted to reach through a screen and knock the living crap out of anyone so much. It‘s one thing to have valid arguments about big issues, but he‘s an idiot with a big mouth, no sense of accuracy, a scare-mongered and clearly has a massive hole in his marble-bag. Worse… he seems to have an audience.

- Impact work done for me. Feeling sorry for Neal, our designer, who has so much to do this week, but I’ve also done a huge amount of work on the issue myself, chased everyone as much as I could and really couldn’t do much moe if I was in Leeds rather than Iowa. Work on the NEXT issue must begin soon..

- Jilly exhausted after punishing work schedule and house/pet stuff. Been happy to help as much as I can, but I can see how she gets even more tired when I’m not here.

- just less than two weeks left of my trip, which is nice as I don’t feel under the gun. Hope to go and see ‘9’, the new Tim Burton CGI movie today, which looks very interesting and Jilly has a day off on Thursday.

- one of Jilly's friends brought around and brought a less-than-week-year-old kitten for her to look after (or should I say arrived, handed to me, said Jilly knew about it and ran for the hills... Jilly didn't know anything about it!). Sadly it didn't survive the night, but we did all we could. But the already over-crowded ark still felt a bit empty the next morning...

- though it’s uneven, I’m actually getting a ton more sleep than I usually do. Sometimes in bed by 10:00pm and up not long after 7:00. I suppose this can only be good.

- NEW t-shirt designs have just gone up at the TGTD store, some especially for HalLowe'en.. I will be posting more about these in the next few days. PLEASE spread the word!

More later...