A-ha Omaha

Just like every day, I got ready for the night's show, got all my stuff packed up and left my hotel room for the lobby. I turned in my keycard, and the woman at the front desk said, "I don't think you're checking out today."

Oh.

"And I think a bunch of people in your group just went out to a movie."

Double oh. No show today? Somebody forgot to check his itinerary. Somebody has become hypnotized by the schedule. This is our very first day off. How exciting!

So I moved everything back into my hotel room and decided to explore downtown Omaha. I put on my iPod, and walked the Old Market District to the sounds of Sufjan Stevens (I needed a gentle voice). On the street, I stumbled on the dancers and Charlie (the road manager), and mentioned that I was thinking of checking out a movie. They said they were going to see "30 Days of Night" and said I should join them. They said to meet back up with them in two hours. I said sure, and headed out looking for food.

Now, I knew there was very little chance of us finding each other randomly in downtown Omaha before the movie, but it was fun to pretend. Anyway, I always love a good zombie movie, but I was really feeling the need for intellectual stimulation and, once again, gentleness. So a zombie movie didn't really sound so good anyway.

After eating at a cool spaghetti joint, I called a cab and went to Iowa. Yes. I left the state. But it wasn't that far. I found a multiplex that was entirely empty, apart from the staff, and saw the movie "Michael Clayton," which was fantastic. I needed an art infusion, and this was definitely that. Remarkable performances, a razor-sharp script and tight direction. It's a character movie masquerading as a plot movie. Delicious. I highly recommend it.

Ahhh. It was nice to have a day to myself to relax and remember who I am again.