and depressed me with its economic stats (although the state's
per-capita income has risen to 44th in the country, up from 48th).
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There were also signs during my visit that indicated I should perhaps have requested hazardous duty pay for this assignment:
Luckily for me, the worst that happened was an unexpected expansion of my waistline, due to the excellent lunch and dinner offerings at the lakeside compound where I spent the week.