Quiet Rebel Writer

Hello everyone, and welcome to the week! I’m back from my weeklong sojourn to I-O-WA, the state where I was born and raised. My entire family lives there, so it’s quite a trip with lots of folks to see. But the main focus of this trip was my new nephew, born to my younger brother and his rock star of a wife. Pretty incredible stuff.

To get back on track here, and think about the creative kick we need to jump into the week, I’ve understandably got Iowa on the brain. I have an easy way to explain this state to folks that have never been, and/or have no desire to go, one I routinely whip out at parties and meetings when the topic turns to hometowns, and “Iowa” is met with a blank, confused look. Iowa has no professional sports teams, but has a population with a love of beer and sports. So where does that energy get funneled? Into college sports.

The love of University of Iowa football in my family reaches insane heights, and I have clear memories of watching and attending games at a wee age, long before I was ever a student there, Christmases are filled with Iowa-themed gifts; Family weddings are not complete without the fight song played at least once. An epic rivalry exists between the University of Iowa and Iowa State University, a rivalry so bitter, so fierce, that it is truly shocking to outsiders.

Anywho, it occurred to me today that some of the accoutrements around Iowa viewing, cheering, and boozing, all those activities that make up a fall weekend, are actually prime territory for a creative kick. Sometimes it’s all about simplicity. Words that get you excited, that make you jump around in a university parking lot hours before a game starts, forgetting the bitter cold and the fourteen layers you’re wearing, forgetting that beer before 9 am is usually frowned upon. Words that reflect a realistic spin on the joys of life while we live it.

In that vein, here’s an Iowa classic. Played at every game, at every pep rally, in every Iowa-loving home around the state and around the country, this is it:

The words? Quick and potent:

In heaven there is no beer.
That’s why we drink it here.
And when we’re gone from here?
Our friends will be drinking all our beer!

There you go. A nice little creative kick, and a glimpse into my upbringing. Hope you enjoyed.

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