In a Big Country

From Iowa to Nebraska you wouldn't think there would be much change in the scenery. And you would think correctly. Endless corn fields and highways that disappear over distant horizons are interspersed with random towns, and occasional small villages with dry wells. However, every so often, the largest ball of stamps ever created comes into view. Take THAT giant frying pan of Iowa! Go America!!!!!

Our Omaha gig was played to a heavily intoxicated crowd of Nebraskans at the Saddle Creek Bar. This shallow room was filled with pool tables, low hanging (sometimes dangerously so) lamps, and most importantly, a pinball machine on which I scored an octuple-jackpot. Luck? or skill? I'll leave you to decide. It was loud, sweaty, and free drinks arrived in the form of unlimited PBR pitchers.
We opted to spend an extra night in Omaha in order to attend a free Feist concert. Set in Memorial Park, the open night air was illuminated by Feist's magnificent voice as it floated up to the edges of the surrounding bowl. Though the crowd was somewhat unresponsive to her inclusive style of performance, she made do, and complimented the perfect weather with song after flawless song.
Indie rockers The Good Life opened the night to an ever growing crowd. In his home town, singer Tim Kasher gave an exciting performance to an appreciative crowd of hipsters, many of whom who were at the age where bringing their newly born children to concerts was the norm. It really made me want to listen to Cursive.

Seeing that the next day we had a sixteen hour drive packed in close proximity within the confines of a small metal box traveling seventy miles an hour down the freeway, stuffing ourselves silly on spicy food and heavy drinks only seemed logical. Applebees, of course, was the only place to go. However, only after we had ordered our food and drinks did the waitress inform us that half price appetizers only applied to Monday through Thursday in Nebraska. Not the normal 7-days a week food fest we're used to. Suffice to say, Blake was not pleased, and began texting furiously in search of justice. Whom he texted, the world may never know, but I can only assume that it was a being of higher power.



Today: 16 hours of driving.
Tomorrow: Tillamook, Oregon.
For now: Modern Rock: Cutting-Edge '80s will keep us sane.


-ew