Lost Americana Threads & Random

Monday, 7PM

Long day today. First day of classes today so I got to meet a lot of new people. The guys from Spanish are still the same but I think the group's getting smaller. One of my classmates in Humanities showed me these amazing plushies she's been selling around for some extra cash. Apparently she's saving up for a trip to Tokyo at the end of the year. She loves Pokemon, I do too, and I wanted to support her anime-fueled travel dreams so I bought two plushies (Squirtle and Pikachu) from her, and as a bonus she gave me another Pokemon plushie (Gengar).

Hmmm... Come to think of it I should start saving up for another trip. Maybe China's a good idea. I should get that piggy bank thing going on again. What country's in your travel dream list?

Pokemon Plushie Dad,
Gene

Going to the Chiefs game, tonight!

Win or lose, drinks are happening afterward! Whoooo!

Wednesday, 5PM

I have about 3 missed calls and a ton of messages when I woke up early this afternoon and let me tell you, I have no regrets. After almost two weeks of sleepless nights studying for finals, I'm finally freaking done with this semester. Of course the only way to celebrate is to... Get some much needed sleep. And now after a lot of nagging from Grandma Josie, I finally decided to get a haircut.

Do I look dapper enough for my Grandma's tastes? I have yet to find out. I'm on way to see her for dinner now. I just hope she wouldn't say I look like my Grandpa because I've heard that from her a million times already growing up. If it's her own version of a compliment, it's getting really old now. Wish me luck.

Grandpa Lookalike,
Gene

Some days one cup of coffee is just not going to cut it. Good thing the coffee shop in town is pretty great at keeping mugs refilled.


What's everyone's go to coffee shop order? Oh, and hi. I'm Leigh.

Monday, 4PM

So a childhood friend of mine got married this weekend and invited me to come. Of course I went home to NYC to be at his wedding. We've known each other since we were three, we were neighbors. Even after my parents' divorce, we kept in touch through letters. We'd play basketball every summer when I came to visit my dad. A lot of people say we even look alike, which is funny because I don't really see it. This is us, sitting on the steps of the fancy hotel we stayed in hours before the ceremony...

Yup, that fond look, that's what I call bromance. No but seriously, I am super super happy for James. He's the kindest guy I've ever known and so when he asked me to sing at the reception, I just couldn't say no. This is me singing for him and his lovely wife Shannon. Let me know if I should change careers now.

Potential wedding singer,
Gene

It's been a long time since I have slept this late.

I mean, the party was great...but I just wanna stay in bed all day. Kinda don't want to clean up the house. I need a delivery service that brings food to my bed.

Hey all, Weston here. Professional chef, frequent diner guest once we're closed. Joplin native who moved back home and yeah. Here I am.

How many of you thought you'd never come back or that you'd move away and ended up back/staying here?

How was everyone's weekend?

I got to do the usual poker night on Friday and then yesterday and today, I was babysitting my nephew. I may have spoiled him, a bit, but he seemed to have a good time with his uncle Jamie.

Lazy Sunday!

While I like being busy and active, nothing like lazing about every now and then.

Despite this, I kinda want to do something social. Drinks and pool, anyone?

When in Rome...

I'm Jamison. Work over at Sunny's Auto...yes, it's okay to ask me about car related problems. Been working in the mechanic business for the past 10 years and am pretty damn good at what I do. Also, Sunny's is reasonably priced unlike some places I have heard about. Not bad mouthing, just stating facts.

Anyway, gotta head to work, now.

Wednesday, 12PM

Yesterday seemed like a very bleak day, until the afternoon came. I saw double rainbows... DOUBLE RAINBOWS. You couldn't really see it well from this photo but I'm telling you, it's amazing.

Been thinking about a lot of things lately. For one thing, now that I'm approaching junior year, I wonder what internships I could get around Joplin. Any ideas? Nope? I know it's gonna be hectic, especially because I have a full-time job. But it's part of my curriculum requirements and I sure as heck would like to experience stuff outside my usual school and busboy duties. I gotta figure it out soon.

Maybe the double rainbows is a sign?! Maybe it means I can actually do double jobs or something?! I don't know...

Double rainbow believer,
Gene

Monday, 8AM

Slow day at work today. Got bored and decided to sift through the wasteland that is my gallery. Look what I found here!

I think I took this at school sometime last month and didn't even realize it's still here, clogging up my phone. Win probably didn't even know I was taking photos. Not a creep, you guys, just really glad when I see my friends happy and laughing. It's one of those moments where you just really have to stop and watch because these are the small moments we tend to forget as we grow old. So I try to take as many photos as I can when I'm happy... But my phone isn't all too happy about it. I think I might need a new phone. Maybe a camera too so I don't clog up my phone's memory with photos.

Not a creep,
Gene

Good morning all. My body hasn't adjusted to summer break it seems. Then again, with the kiddos I'm usually up early anyway...

Danielle (Dani) Tucker here. High school drama teacher, mother of two amazingly wonderful kids, sister to the Tucker clan and all around goofball. :)

I'll leave you with a question: What song is your current earworm?

Tuesday, 8AM

Been so busy lately, I didn't even realize I'm sick until I woke up today with an itchy throat and a mild desire to drown in the midst of my blankets. I'm sweating even though my toes are cold (and I hate, hate, hate having cold toes). Also, my facial hair is growing and I couldn't get up to shave so, this is what I look like now: Cold, sick, hairy, and absolutely disgusting.

I'm not gonna be in the diner today, sorry to the Braxtons (you know, fellow hotties at the diner: braxram and braxtonjames). Don't worry you guys, I'll be up by tomorrow. I probably just need to sleep this off. Also, maybe I need pizza. Maybe.

PS. Sorry about the disgustingly cute hairy selfie.

Not really sorry,
Gene

Monday, 12NN

It's the start of a brand new week! I feel refreshed and happy because of something, or somebody... Actually, it's probably just because of the beer and the pizza consumed last Saturday. (BTW, thanks for coming over augusthe. You are my pizza superhero! HAHA!) It could also be because I've realized that some friendships, no matter how unlikely they may be, could be fostered through vulnerability. Sometimes all it takes is one secret spilled to get closer as friends. Maybe I should host pizza and beer nights every weekend? Would Grandma Josie let me, though?

Oh also, can somebody teach me how to play guitar? I am dying to learn and I feel like a guitar would be a perfect addition to pizza and beer nights.

Yours in the spirit of pizza,
Gene

Another game in the books and I can't help but reflect today on those we've lost in the last year. The team isn't the same without you Ace and this win was for you buddy. Anyway enough sad stuff right? I'm Maceo but most people who watch baseball call me Moose because of my size. Got a great fiance who I can't wait to marry and I'm third base for the KC Royals. What's everyone up to this first weekend of June this summer?

Kyle here and right now I am enjoying a Saturday night at home in my comfy pjs with candles lit and drinking some white wine. Got The Notebook on too because it just seemed like a chick flick kind of a night you know? So I ask you Joplin what is your favorite genre of movie OR your favorite way to spend a Saturday night? And should I let the boyfriend have a say in what movie is next?

Friday, 12NN

This has officially been a very, VERY long week. Okay, the coffee pie (which according to Grandma Josie is actually called Spiced Sweet Cream Coffee Pie) was a bad/good start because it got me running around like my butt was on fire, but at least I got to be super productive. I managed to find some of my missing journals and I also got to visit this fork... Yes, fork.

Now I can't wait to finish up my shift so I can get some pizza and beer because I think this week needs to end with a bucket of chill. Now, who's with me?

Very hungrily yours,
Gene

Monday, 3PM

I sincerely regret eating all that coffee pie thingy... I'm sleepy as heck and I'm still at work. But then again it's Grandma's cooking. You can never get enough of Grandma Josie's cooking. Now how do I keep myself awake until bedtime?! More coffee? Probably not a good idea but MEH, I don't think it'll get any worse than this. I wonder how everyone's doing today.

Sincerely sleepy,
Gene

Monday, 1AM

I think my body's becoming coffee dependent and I don't really hate it but it's getting kinda scary. Is there any way I can circumvent this? I'm supposed to be sleeping right now but I can't because for dessert Grandma Josie tried new pie recipes that went so well with coffee. The pie in the middle even had coffee and coffee beans in it! Man, I think I won't be getting any sleep tonight.

Yours and sleepless in Joplin,
Gene