File it under "Norris, Chuck"

I've been in Missoula about 24 hours now. Last evening, pulling into the motel, I found Chuck Norris. It's true, he's here in Missoula. The groundskeeper here has the headband, quasi-mullet and, AND, muscle shirt. Very Norris comma Chuck. And then this morning at brunch, there was a promo for Talladega Nights, and Will Ferrell introduces his children as "Walker" and "Texas Ranger". Priceless. Also, of fun Missoula note: Driving in the city, the radio station I had on announced The Rolling Stones will be coming to Missoula in October, tickets going on sale soon. Wow. We're cool, huh?

PSA: Chuck Norris rides an ice cream truck covered in human skulls.

Today at lunch, my fortune cookie said "You will do well to take a vacation travelling (sic) to the west." So I thought it the prophecy of the century. But really, I bet they tailor their fortunes for areas. It just so happens this is about as west as you can be (without an ocean coast, that is). So oh well, it is what it is.

I've started the daunting hunt for apartments today. It felt like I'd seen about 400 places by noontime, but really I was just running back and forth between rental places and properties. I've looked at an attic studio above a store who, and I quote, "sold (air quote)'tobacco'(air quote) smoking glass products." Looked at a basement, big 1 bedroom (with windows!), but it is being hunted down by other people like it's the last house left in the world. Saw some economy studios with shared bathrooms. Both were just big enough for a maximum occupancy of 3.5 people, but good neighborhood. More on Monday. I'm tired of the limbo already. I like having something to write in the return address field of envelopes.


One more thing! Here's the aftermath of the road trip, now that I'm spending more time on two legs than four wheels. Some very early nostalgia, if you will.

Exhibit 1. The corn lollipop. Discarded somewhere around South Dakota.









Exhibit 2. My front seat. Disgusting revulsion in my book.
...You should the front bumper of my car. Traveling bug cemetary.







Exhibit 3. I have an ongoing dream sequence featuring a caged badger. Finding this in the badlands, I was elated. Just to confirm my insanity. Indulge me.







4. Adorable. I can't help it.








5. Creepy. I can't help that either. This was around a corner, against the wall. So life-like.
"Janitor" is an actual sculpture. From the Minneapolis art museum.