The visitor.
written by Julie R. Neidlinger 14 comments link this post
I had a visitor. His name was Jim. He arrived in a bright red chariot, and left with me thinking of how fabulous a blog road trip really would be. I love a good road trip.
I immortalized his visit here with a cartoon, drawn in fifteen minutes or less, [or the next one is free!]. Jim has the original and may use it, someday, as "good as cash" [like my signature on the cafe slip].
Shortly after arriving, he informed me that his Montana-borne haircut made him look like Wes Studi.
[What movie was he in with this hair? Heat -- that's it! You've never seen heat? Pacino. DeNiro. Same scene. -- paraphrased by Julie of Jim.]
He remarked upon the various Keillor-esque aspects of the area, and remarked he might want a shirt that said "Keilloresque."
["I would like a shirt that said 'I'm blogging this,'" said Jim.]
We drove to Starkweather and he saw where I went to school. He toured the town of Hampden (a five minute tour if you don't take the far road around for a glimpse of the lagoon). He got a look inside the historical one-room schoolhouse and the horse-drawn school bus from Epping, North Dakota, all located in one convenient historical site right outside of Hampden. He saw the Hampden Post Office and all its glory.
We talked about canola. Yes. Yes we did. And sloughs.
[Slough. It sounds like what you do to a pig before you eat it. -- not a fully accurate recall of Jim's words by Julie.]
He attempted to get me to howl like a coyote in order to break the dark silence of the night.
He experienced potato dumpling day at the Hampden Cafe, complete with belching clientèle.
He informed me that if he liked cats, he would definitely like my cat.
He got a look inside the missile site we own.
["It smells like..." said Jim, though Julie tactfully left off the last part of the quote.]
He informed me that I was one of a kind, though I did say "yeah" as "yah" once in the cafe.
He stayed at the fabulous Homestead.
He experience the grand privilege of the Lone Prairie Blog Creation Point (my messy computer room/art studio).
He got to hold Bob, and view, up close, the sets and furniture.
["I can't believe how small he is."]
He flabbergasted me with a Steve Martin quote and I chided him for not having seen Casablanca.
We talked about science fiction and various books. He told me of an Ezra Pound poem which left me laughing [Winter is Icummen In...Goddamn] and made me think of a bit of writing I wanted to print out and share but forgot to do so before he left. [Here's the scifi story I thought to share: Terry Bisson, "They're Made Out of Meat."]
I may not be smiling much in this photo, but that's false advertising. I had a great time. I hope Jim did, too. He leaves with me itching for a road trip, as well as wondering about how I seem different in person than the way I write, and very glad (despite knowing he took PHOTOGRAPHS OF ME1) that he came for a visit. It is so good to meet the people I know through blogs. I really, really, really enjoyed this visit, and I hope Jim can say the same.
Any other bloggers coming through the great state of North Dakota?
Jim leaves, bearing gifts2, because my grandma once told me that a guest shouldn't leave empty-handed.
1This is traumatic.
2 Yes, Will, for you too. See? You benefit! You benefit gloriously, oh yes. (A "slight" over-sell as to the quality of this gift, but a fine placation for the time being.)
Labels: blogging, cartoons, friends, travel
Copyright (c) Julie R. Neidlinger 9/18/2007 01:31:00 PM
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14 Comments:
why don't you like photos of yourself? you look nice in them why's it tramatic?
By 
, at
18/9/07 16:40
It makes me winter nervous to see you and Jim in Parkas. Don't send that south anytime soon.
I think that's a very nice picture of you. (and Jim)
By 
Gene Redlin, at
18/9/07 16:55
Gene: It was chilly, admittedly, but not Parka-chilly. That's a hooded sweatshirt. So don't worry -- you're still winter-safe.
Jeff: If I'm talking about artsy photos in some vague art-speak, I'd say things about the beauty of capturing a moment, the beauty of human figures or landscape or still life -- I'd say a lot of stuff. However, posed photos that involve me like the one here and on Jim's blog...they aren't any of that. They are reminders that:
1. I need to lose a LOT of weight still and should probably resume fiendish running and torturous eating once again.
2. Bad skin isn't reserved for the teen years.
3. I need a haircut in hopes that it will somehow magically transform my appearance.
4. I'm getting old, wrinkled and furrowed-looking.
5. Etc.
To me, photos that I'm in aren't reminders of a moment, but reminders of an appearance that doesn't match up to the standards I perceive are necessary. I try to get out of as many photos as possible and I really am terrified when when people take my photo. I hated getting my school photos taken; I have now, and had then, a difficult time smiling because there was simply nothing to smile about in that moment.
This could be a separate post topic (or session with a therapist), so I'll just end it with the summation that photos of me are reminders of a gazillion appearance-related flaws. And are depressing.
By Julie R. Neidlinger, at
18/9/07 17:19
@ Jeff... if you're the same person who left a comment at my place, I sincerely apologize for deleting it. I thought it might be spam given your email address. If you are the same Jeff, you may email me at jvjannotti at gmail dot com. Once again, my apologies if this is the case.
@Gene: Not a parka on me either. In fact, I don't own a parka. That's a windbreaker I bought in Yellowstone. It was chilly though.
Julie: Wonderful, indeed. You forgot to write about me meeting your dad and your mom. I'm still laughing at the whole 'change of plans' conversation with your dad from this morning. It is such a privilege to meet a whole family of one-of-a-kinds, even if there was a 'yah' here and there.
So, next time, shall we meet in DeSmet? ;-)
Take that road trip! Do it!
By Jim, at
18/9/07 20:36
Oh, and I've read that story by Bisson. I think it's great!
By Jim, at
18/9/07 20:42
It's so cool to see two of my favorite bloggers together in one photo.
Now, Julie, Jim's been down here, so I guess it's your turn. Texas and back would make a heckuva road trip!
By Eric, at
18/9/07 21:12
The folks: They are great, aren't they? And I still can't believe you were treated to the goofy cat moment with dad.
The visits: I really should make some visits. Pennsylvania is fairly close to Texas, isn't it? I mean, isn't everything close to Texas? It being the center of the universe*?
----------
*Jim: DeSmet is not part of this particular universe.
By Julie R. Neidlinger, at
18/9/07 21:20
By the way, I'm glad you got to your next stop safely, Jim. Non-smoking room? No pets room?
By Julie R. Neidlinger, at
18/9/07 21:28
Two Things:
The photos look great.
Can't wait for Jim's return . . . present? Yeah!
By Will, at
18/9/07 23:37
Potato dumplings. Classic. Hahaha
By David Cho, at
19/9/07 00:52
A tour of the missile site AND potato dumplings? Ok now I'm totally jealous!
By , at
19/9/07 10:35
Safe. No smokes. No creatures... well, except for one. More on that later today at my place.
See that comment from Will like two above this one? You see how little respect I get. He can't wait til I get home so he can get his present!
By Jim, at
19/9/07 10:53
Yes Will, a present. I grabbed what was handy at the last minute, so I'm not sure what you'll think of the "present" coming your way...what are your thoughts on "canned corn"?
By Julie R. Neidlinger, at
19/9/07 20:32
Canned corn? If it is from you, I will treasure it forever :)
By Will, at
19/9/07 23:22
