Good day, sunshine

Item #1, Good News File:

You guys, the impossible has happened: the Baltimore City Police Dept recovered our adorable stolen scooter.  If you had asked me on Friday what the chances were we'd ever see that scooter again, I would have said about 10%.   And then I would have said there was a 1% chance she was driveable.  I really thought the only possibility was that the thieves would ditch her somewhere when they realized they couldn't drive her -- probably after beating the hell out of her, just for kicks.  

But it seems I have a lot to learn about grand theft auto (that's what it says on our police report, by the way.  Adorable scooter theft is Serious Biznass) and the hotwiring of scooters, because the cops apprehended a suspect in the act of riding our stolen scooter.  Riding it!  Without the key!  So... I guess it is possible to release all those built-in brakes.   Who knew? 

She's being stored in the city lot right now, which I imagine to be the vehicular equivalent to a dog pound.  Hang in there, little scooter, we're coming!  We just have to go down to the lot during the inconvenient hours of 8:30am and 5pm and submit proof of ownership, wait for the city to verify said proof of ownership, and then return with Joel's truck (which is currently in the shop) during those ultra-convenient business hours and pay the $130 tow fee and the daily storage fee.   Then we're planning to take her directly to some sort of scooter store to be repaired, because the message from the police indicated that there was "some damage" to the ignition and the gas cap.  So we should have her back in riding condition sometime this month, if we're lucky.  And dudes, I can't even bring myself to be annoyed.  WE'RE GETTING OUR SCOOTER BACK!  YIPPEE!

Item #2, Good News File:

I went to a wedding this weekend and I think it was probably the most fun I've ever had at a wedding.  A bold statement, I know.  I was, um, not exactly excited about going to this wedding for the following reasons (in descending order from most valid to least valid): 

• The wedding was in Iowa, and Iowa is far away. 

• Northwest Airlines changed my flights and added two hours to my layover in Minneapolis. 

• Joel had to coach, so I was going alone. 

• I was ridiculously tired after getting up at 5am on Wednesday and then having insomnia on Thursday because I was still pissed off about the scooter. 

• When I booked the flights, it seemed like a good idea to save $150 by flying out of DCA (a 45 min drive and then another 45 min metro ride away) instead of BWI (a 20 min drive).  

• I wanted to stay home and play with my cats all weekend. 

• I felt poopy and my knee hurt. 

• I couldn't decide which dress to wear and felt like wearing sweatpants all weekend. 

• My social anxiety, let me show you it. 

• I had a lot of TV to watch. 

• I didn't feel like packing. 

• Joe Biden says you get swine flu on airplanes.

My mood started to turn around the minute I arrived in the Des Moines airport.  The hotel shuttle I'd reserved not only showed up, but was right on time and the driver greeted me by name.  The hotel itself turned out the be the nicest Holiday Inn in the United States.   And when I finally dragged myself to the Friday evening pre-party, I had an awesome time.  The groom is a good friend of mine from college, and he was in a crappy relationship with a girl who can only be described as Pure Evil Incarnate for most of our undergrad years.  I met his new girlfriend, who'd later become his fiance, two years ago when he brought her to our college reunion, and I immediately wanted to give her a bear hug.    She is so wonderful and nice and perfect and at the risk of sounding really corny, their happiness was just infectious.  Plus, I had a free glass of wine at the hotel bar, followed by several free shots from the friendly hotel bartender, followed by several more free drinks at the Friday night pre-wedding party.  And then the best man performed an interpretive dance to Like A Prayer.  Naked.  It was a good time.

As an added bonus, I was able to convince my friend and his wife to drive out to see the bridges of Madison County with me on Saturday morning before the ceremony.  I am almost ashamed to admit that I not only read Robert Waller's book, but I loved it.  And yet, I managed to miss the fact that that the bridges in question were located in Iowa.  Fifteen miles from our hotel. 

But no matter what you thought of the book (or the movie, which I haven't seen), you have to agree that it'd be a shame to spend an entire weekend in Iowa and NOT see these bridges.  Well, that's what I say, anyway. 

We managed to squeeze in four of the remaining bridges before the ceremony started at 2pm.

Have I mentioned that I very nearly left the camera at home?  Joel took the small one to his race, and I didn't feel like lugging the big Nikon alllll the way to Iowa.   Yeah, I was THAT cranky on Thursday night.

Oh, and we also did a drive-by of John Wayne's birthplace-- we were planning to skip it, but all roads in Winterset, Iowa lead to the John Wayne museum.  No matter how many twists and turns we made trying to find the next bridge on our list, we were still forced to drive directly past the museum.  And when we saw the painted van tribute to Mr. Wayne outside, we figured we might as well stop by for a minute.  We drew the line at paying $6 for the guided tour, though.

I'm utterly exhausted, but in a happy way.   Thanks for the memories, Iowa.

 

Comments

[NGS]

But, most importantly, you had a great time in Minneapolis on your layover, didn't you? Didn't you? (The correct answer is: Yes, it was lovely. I love Minneapolis. Your fine city and airport are lovely. I will go there frequently.)

[Kristabella]

Glad you had a good time! I figured you were good since you didn't Twitter and ask about driving to Chicago to help me unpack in my condo.

And SO EXCITED! about the return of the scooter! That is great!

[heidikins]

Yay on the scooter!!! That makes me so happy!

Also, I hate Iowa...but I never saw the covered bridges, perhaps my opinion would change. ;o)

xox

[Beauty of Argument]

I am so glad about your scooter!

In other news, fabulous photos. The sunshine looks infectious and happy. Great capturing of color. :-)

Also, my university is based out of Iowa.

[Lindsey]

Ooooh sounds like so much fun and it looks beautiful there!!

[-R-]

The bride looks beautiful.

You know, I have probably driven through Madison County (on the interestate) 50 times, and I have never gone to see any of the bridges. Great pictures!

[audrey]

I'm so glad you're getting your scooter back! That's fabulous news!

[Angela Noelle]

I can't believe you got the scooter back--that rocks! And I'm so glad you had fun at the wedding. I also dread going to weddings alone, and the fact that you had a good time is very inspirational.

[Mary]

I'm so glad your scooter is found! And that you had a lovely weekend in the Midwest! Yay! (I'm also amazed that NWA didn't somehow manage to ruin your life like they do to me every time I fly that airline. Double yay for you!)

[jennifer]

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