- People from outside of Iowa thinking Davenport, Dubuque and Des Moines are just 10 minutes away from each other. You can get there from here, but it's going to take you a little longer than 10 minutes.
- "What you didn't grow up here?" Question I'm often asked when I relay to people the fact that I'm actually from Illinois
- Being able to tell people that the first electronic digital computer was invented here.
- I have never been to an Iowa football game, wrestling meet or men's basketball game. I did get to watch women's basketball and volleyball
- I found a sport and a group of weirdos in which I actually kind of sort of fit in: Roller Derby. Three leagues in two different cities. To all the friends I met through the derbs, thank you.
- I'm always amazed when I actually do meet people who are from Iowa. People come from all over here to settle, but the homegrown folks are just so nice and down to earth.
- The Field of M***** F***ing Dreams
- Driving from one side of the state to the other. You realize how big Iowa is once you've made that road trip a few times. Driving through Illinois doesn't have the same majesty.
- The Weather: We get a a pretty good taste for the extremes, and the thunderstorms are amazing. There are very few thunderstorms in Juneau. I'll probably have to turn on a video of storms just to get some sleep.