Fairfield 19: In the Time of COVID

It's hard to believe that I've written 18 "Fairfield" posts since this blog began. It shows that I've been a regular visitor—once or twice a year. But covid changed things.

 

The most recent Fairfield post gave a short description of the abbreviated March 2020 visit. November 2020 and March 2021 came and went without a trip. In July the situation appeared manageable, so I contacted the Raj and booked accommodations and several Ayurvedic treatments for November. I also planned to visit the Maharishi International University (MIU) campus.

 

I arranged for my first day to have no treatment, so that I could go to the Invincible America Assembly (IAA) department, open only on afternoons, and have my expired badge updated, allowing me to participate in extended group meditation in the Golden Dome. In October I contacted the IAA and learned their requirements for a vaccinated visitor from out of town: isolating for four days after arriving in Fairfield, a negative covid test after that quarantine, and proof of vaccination. My first day at the Raj was now open to schedule a treatment—it was the first day of my "quarantine."

I called the Raj. They, like so many employers, were short-staffed after a year’s closure, and the depleted ranks of the PK technicians were fully booked. I couldn't schedule a treatment on that first day, and I couldn’t shift any afternoon treatments to the morning. “Very well,” I said, “Let’s just cancel the Monday treatment, the day after the quarantine expires, and I can go to the IAA department then.” Six days of treatment instead of seven would still be great.

 

I ventured to Fairfield in the second week of November, after a Moderna booster at the end of October. Cary Davis, our local TM teacher, came along and shared the driving. That meant no overnight stays along the way were required, eliminating one area of concern. He stayed with friends, while I stayed at the Raj, planning for six Ayurvedic treatments followed by three days simply lodging there.

I checked in at the Raj, spitting into a test tube for a covid test. The next day brought more schedule changes. The Monday I’d abandoned was, mysteriously, still on my schedule as an afternoon treatment. Dr. Toomey managed to arrange a switch to late morning for me on that day, giving me seven days again.

 

Then I learned that you can’t get a covid test anywhere in Fairfield on the weekends. I had arrived on the worst possible day, being eligible for the covid test just as the weekend began. The quickest test turnaround was as a guest at the Raj, where I could fill the saliva tube on an evening, it would be sent to the lab first thing in the morning, and the Raj could write a letter advising of the result the following day. I called two other testing locations, but they required multiple days for a test result. The IAA office administered tests only on Thursdays. I decided to stop struggling to combine an IAA visit and a treatment on the same day, pushing back the IAA check-in, and was finally able to relax and enjoy my remaining treatments without worry.

 

In addition to vaccination and masking, social distancing was in effect at the Raj. Before, the guests all sat together at a long table, making conversation easy, lively, and natural. Now, each group of guests—usually singles, such as me, or couples—sat at widely spaced tables. A placard told each of us where to sit. However, the Raj did not object to invitations to join another table, which could hold up to four. Talks were given on half the evenings, again due to a shortage of available speakers.

 

I ended up with just two mornings in the Dome. That was enough to learn how everything worked. The protocol for entering the Dome included my badge, now sporting a covid-safe label, a temperature check, hand sanitizer, and segregated seating; unvaccinated participants were directed to the southwest quarter of the Dome. I needed to find a spot such that I sat not directly beside, in front of, or behind anyone. Some participants sat two spots apart, an inefficient arrangement that only works with low Dome attendance.

 

I had a little time to cruise around the town square and the university campus, and see what I changes could spot on a cold November day.

 

The Fairfield county courthouse, and a tree.

Petra Park, one block off the town square, was built on the lot of a printing service whose roof collapsed in a snowstorm several years ago.

It is dedicated to Petra Stanley.

The view back to the street.

I was surprised to see this colorful Volitions roller skate store on the square.

Back on campus, I wanted to check out the renovated Wege Center for the Arts.

This west-facing side is the back.

A walkway to the east side, the auspicious side for entry, hosted a banner, one of several on campus celebrating MIU's golden anniversary.

The interior of the Wege's upper floor. It was Thanksgiving break for the students, so the campus was depopulated.

 

This visit was worthwhile, even though tense in its first half with multiple schedule changes. The treatments at the Raj were as good as ever, and I had a couple of enjoyable outings with Cary before we drove home.

 Another visit? Yes. When? It's all up to covid.

Fairfield Sweet Sixteenth

My trip to Fairfield in March 2018 was the sixteenth now documented in this blog. Yes, it's taken a while for me get started on this entry. I promise to keep it brief, so let's jump in:

I stayed at the Men's Peace Palace, as last time. Given the time of year, I saw lots of sunrises, and some were photo-worthy.

The entryway looked familiar, including the reminders on the floor to remove one's shoes.

I finally noticed that the coat hangers in the entryway bore duck heads.

It was the same room I had back in November.

In the middle of one thunderstorm-wracked night the power went out on parts of the campus, including the Peace Palace. My battery-powered clock woke me at the correct time, but I couldn't turn on any lights. I was able to navigate with my camping headlamp, and the building's hot water was still comfortably warm when I turned it all the way to "H," so no harm done. The power came back later in the morning.

My two-week visit included five days of Ayurvedic treatments at The Raj, which were welcome and very settling. One evening I took this photo combining the entry and the moon.

The shirodhara treatment, oil poured slowly on the forehead, was especially calming.

Between the extended group meditations in the Golden Dome, my Raj treatments, and iffy weather I had only a few opportunities to wander. On one of my walks I discovered that the old railroad depot had undergone another reincarnation.

The expansion of the North Campus Village was continuing.

Is that a giant spider up there?

Concrete was being poured.

This zoom shows some of the tubing and mechanisms of a long-distance pour. Click on the image to enlarge.

Sure it's not injecting alien eggs into the ground?

On one of my walks uptown -- or is it downtown? -- near the square, anyway, this juxtaposition caught my eye.

That's Fairfield!

Now for my campus-area photos; first, an engaging trio of trees near the student union.

A Chevy Volt was charging up near the Sustainable Living Center.

On the other side of the green battery shed, a student project had been installed next to the photovoltaic panels.

EVSE is an acronym for Electric Vehicle Service Equipment. The charging equipment within the car and the EVSE negotiate a power level for charging that's acceptable to both parties.

OpenEVSE is an outfit that will either sell you a completed EVSE, an EVSE kit that you assemble, or parts to build an EVSE to your own specifications.

Here's a view of the central hallway of the Sustainable Living Center. The whole trunks are much stronger than sawn boards.

I had the opportunity to walk another segment of the Jefferson County Loop Trail, which I have explored over the years. A schedule conflict, however, prevented me from collecting the final mile needed to claim the entire trail.

On the afternoon of March 25th there was to be a Global Group Meditation, where TM practitioners everywhere would gather in groups and meditate at the same time, 5:05 pm in Fairfield. This effort, it was anticipated, would tweak the global level of consciousness for the better. Of particular interest, Maharaja Adhiraj Rajaraam -- also known as Dr. Tony Nader -- would be addressing those of us in Fairfield (via audio link) and answering questions before the meditation start.

Although tempted to complete my walk I cut it short. This was wise, because the treatments at the Raj had calmed my metabolism a lot, and I was getting accustomed to a new prescription. I knew I shouldn't stress myself with an extra two miles.

At the Dome the gathered souls were first addressed by Dr./Raja John Hagelin, and a video of him was played, explaining the mechanics of how group practice could affect the greater population. His background as a physicist was put to good use in the video. John also wished another TM notable, Raj Rajeshwari Candace, a happy birthday.

The program then moved to Dr. Nader, who also spent time noting Candace's birthday and praising her works, followed by Candace's thanks, which quickly transformed into lengthy admiration of Dr. Nader's insights and leadership. After a final return expression of thanks to Candace, Dr. Nader unfortunately had time to answer only one question. Then it was the start time for the global meditation.

A look back at the Dome when it was all over, and I was on my way to the Golden Dome Market Cafe for a light dinner.

After a rejuvenating visit to Fairfield I returned home. As for the loop trail -- maybe next time!

Fairfield 12: The Beat Goes On

In March 2016 I returned yet again to Fairfield, Iowa for almost two weeks, including treatment at the Raj (seven days), extended meditation, and catching up on MUM and friends in Fairfield. To summarize, the beat goes on: creation and dissolution.

Early on (March 16) my good friend Cary Davis joined me on a walk starting from Chatauqua Park, and we visited a new orchard section.

Several varieties have been planted here.

On my way to the men's Dome I noticed that an old footbridge over a watercourse that no longer exists has been boarded off and allowed to fall into disrepair. Hey, MUM, wouldn't it be better to just tear it down?

That evening the sky put on quite a show, including virga (rain that doesn't reach the ground).

A few days later the clouds were dancing again.

Soon I was steeped in the routine of the Dome and the Raj. Here's a photo of a sunset behind the Raj.

Except for the first day I altered the schedule I'd followed in previous years; instead of all morning in the Dome and all afternoon at the Raj, I spent the first half of the morning at the Dome and the second half at the Raj. (Lunch and dinner were always at the Raj during the days of treatment.) This time of day been suggested by Dr. Mark Toomey, PhD, director of Ayurvedic programs at the Raj, to make some of my treatments more comfortable. It also had the side effect of giving me free afternoons. Often I spent that time in the the Raj's library, reading a book about the Galapagos I'd brought from home.

On the 20th I photographed people coming to the Raj for a late lunch after attending a Vedic recitation by Maharishi Vedic pandits.

Much of the campus for the pandits has been converted into affordable housing for people wishing to live in Fairfield in conjunction with the Invincible America Assembly. The number of pandits has declined in the last few years.

Closer to the MUM campus more housing was being built by Vastu Partners. A survey taken by the city had shown a serious shortage of housing in the mid-priced range.

The two buildings in the photo are the first step of Phase 5 for North Campus Village, which will fill all the remaining property inside the Village's current boundaries. Many units still unbuilt have already been sold or reserved!

I always take a picture of the men's Dome. The sun and sky cooperated on the 21st.

The Tower of Invincibility also shone. (The blue dome in the background is the women's Dome. It will be golden, same as the men's Dome, by the time I return.)

That night there was a conjunction of Jupiter and the Moon. Sky photographs with a handheld point-and-shoot camera aren't easy, but this one came out OK.

A few days later it snowed. There was still a bit left in the afternoon.

The next day Cary and I drove out to Lake Darling State Park, named after Jay Darling.

On a Friday in March it wasn't crowded!

The lake is extensive and is girdled by a system of trails. We did some extensive shoreline walking and talking.

I went downtown on the 26th and took a few pictures. The tea house is no more,

and it's been transformed into a computer repair shop.

The restaurant on the northwest corner of the town square is defunct,

but the upper floors of that building are being renovated.

The beat goes on.

Fairfield 9 & 10

This post combines two visits to Fairfield, in November 2014 and March 2015.

November 2014
Usually I arrive in Fairfield in early November, but this time I decided to stay at home until after my birthday, so I was a good week later than usual -- just in time for the first "polar vortex" cold snap of the winter. Here, snow lingers on the men's dome.

Two days later parts of the snow had given way. If you're inside the dome when this happens, there's a whooshing sound.

What's changed since November 2013?!

Last summer, downtown, the roof collapsed into the printing shop at the corner of Main and Briggs, and that end of the building had to be torn down. The adjacent restaurant, Ila, had closed for a few days until structural inspections could be made, but opened again soon.

The tea house now offers wine as well. Haven't made it back in yet.

Walker's office supply store was having a going out of business sale.

The Top of the Rock grill and the tavern on the first floor were for sale.

A new Italian restaurant had opened.

The newly renovated theater, the Orpheum, was having SF special events, including our favorite classic that barely was, Firefly.

A new arts and crafts store, to me at least, was also on the edge of downtown.

New grain elevators are being built on the east side of town. Just on the other side of the road from the city limits, it turns out, very convenient for avoiding all sorts of regulations. Behind the trees in the center of this photo is the house of the Leahy family, which owns Overland Sheepskin Co, located just outside the photo. Despite opposition, lawsuits, and the loss of some tax incentives, the construction goes on.

Back on campus, there were signs discouraging the parking of bicycles in the patios of the Argiro student center. The number of bikes has been reduced but they still persist.

Among the bikes properly parked, outside the vastu fence, is an electric-assist model. The black boxes are batteries.

Here is a glimpse of the open interior of the student center, facing east from the second floor.

Towards the end of my visit the weather relented enough for me to take a short walk to Pleasant Lake, which was crowded with geese.

Some of the geese are swimming in water, and some are standing on ice.

March 2015
In March I returned, and one of the first events was a visit to Steve Nolle's new house just outside town. It's a sthapatya vedic house built by Vessey Vastu Builders on a 36'x36' square plan. (I first met Steve over a decade ago in Fairfield and discovered that we both had worked for Bell Labs, he in the Chicago area and me in Columbus.)

I took this panoramic shot, facing west and encompassing both the south windows of the dining area (left) and the north door (right). The open space can hold lots of folks at once without feeling crowded.

The home was built with a full basement, mostly finished, with lots of available space. Steve is standing in front of the door to the walled-off equipment area.

Back on campus, another somewhat futile exercise in signage.

I was spending a lot of time at the Raj, taking seven days of Ayurvedic treatments, an experience I've described before. This limited my roaming-about opportunities, but one day Cary Davis and I visited several spots. First, we swung by an art exhibit in the arts building (old student center). These objects are all made with cardboard, except for Cary, who is standing next to the telescope.

In the Unity Gallery, a room in the library, was a collection of Lovey Town displays (click on the image to enlarge).

People send in small artworks, or photos of themselves in artwork-admiring positions.

I took a picture of the sustainable living building from the north side of the library. Look at all those solar panels!

Next we visited downtown, where I didn't take any photos. Sad to say, the newly reopened Orpheum theater closed after only a couple months of operation. Either the audience wasn't there, or the financial reserves to buttress the startup period were insufficient, or ??

A meditation hall has been opened downtown to supplement the activities of the men's and women's domes on campus.

One night I saw the moon and Venus side by side.

As I left Fairfield, I took another picture of the grain elevators mentioned earlier. There are now eight metal silos looming over the Leahy family residence, in addition to the central concrete towers.

That makes ten visits documented. Perhaps this November I'll make pilgrimage #11.