The response to my query on facts about Iowa was about nil. So, I'm going to share this list of some of the notable University of Iowa alums:

Mildred Wirt Benson-Creator of the Nancy Drew mystery story collection. B.A., 1925; M.A. 1927, Journalism and Mass Communication

George Gallup-Founder of the Gallup Poll. B.A., 1923.

E.F. Linquist-Co-founder of American College Testing (ACT) Ph.D. Education, 1927

Richard W. Maibaum-Screenwriter and producer who wrote Broadway plays and thirteen James Bond scripts/films. B.A., 1931; M.A., 1932, Communication and Theatre Arts. Died 1991.

Tennessee Williams-Author of A Streetcar Named Desire and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. B.A., 1938.

Gene Wilder-Comedic film and television actor whose credits include "Silver Streak," "Young Frankenstein," and "Stir Crazy." [and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory!!!] B.A., 1955, Communication and Theatre Arts.

If I'm going to move to Iowa, I think I need to develop a stronger interest in corn. I'm sure I'd be one of the first lucky folks to buy corn clothes. I'll also have to figure out where Nebraska is, so I can go thank the scientist in the article for my lovely corn clothes.

Professor Snape is too sexy...
I hope this isn't a sarcastic creation, because it means I'm not alone in my infatuation with Alan Rickman. From Sense and Sensibility to Harry Potter to Galaxy Quest and Dogma... he is one of my favorite actors (though I cannot say why I find him attractive, who knows). Meow.

(link courtesy of web-goddess who got it from Moire)

Ahhhhh!!!! This page of scary faces in clothes reminds me of this time when I was 8 (or so) and I stayed up half the night because my Land Before Time pj set was laying on my dresser in such a way that it looked like an evil face. I couldn't close my eyes or it would get me! I still shudder thinking about it. Eek!

(Link courtesy of MetaFilter)

So this is what winners look like??

I'm not bitter.

Just another incident of my Mom may be paranoid, but she can also be right. She never let us go to any of those shady fairgrounds, because she thought the constant assembly and break down of the rides made the bolts wear out. She was so right in this case, it's scary:

"An amusement ride broke open and ejected several passengers at a county fair, injuring seven people including a teenage girl who was in critical condition.

A piece of paneling came off "The Gravitron" while it was running late Friday, Miami-Dade police spokesman Juan DelCastillo said Saturday. The ride spins at high speed to generate centrifugal force that pins seated passengers against its interior wall.

A bolt that held the panel in place sheared, said Liz Compton, a Department of Agriculture spokeswoman."

After a couple of nail-biter showdowns - it's Tech vs UConn for the big game.

Go Tech!