May’s reading challenge was a “choose your own” deal, so I decided to read as many Image comics as I could. Some background: I’ve been an Image reader since the company started almost 25 years ago. Yes, I’m aware there was a lot of crap in those early days. For the most part, I read… Read More My May comics reading list
I’ve made it through a month’s worth of beers, and I’m basically 1/10th of the way through this experiment. I still have so many more beers to try, and it’s starting to feel like I’ve picked local Hy-Vees clean of their individual can/bottle selection. I plan to hit up the Jimmy Carter Happy Hour this… Read More 365 Iowa Beers 26-35
When I was doing my mall walking, I never hit Southridge. In part that’s because the southside mall isn’t very close to my northside home. It’s also because I wasn’t really sure Southridge even had an inside anymore. The mall has put most of its focus on the shops with their own entrances, leaving the interior of… Read More Mall walking addendum: Southridge
I’m not sure if I’m playing catch up with this post, or if I might switch my beer posts to 10 at a time. We’ll see how lazy I’m feeling. Beer 16: Millstream John’s Generations White Ale ABV: 5.2% Consumed at: Des Moines Social Club Notes: Since I got a press pass to Wizard World… Read More 365 Iowa Beers: 16-25
Wizard World and tummy troubles caused a delay in the next batch of Iowa beers. I only skipped one day of drinking (I’m dedicated, damnit!), but since I’ve doubled up on a few days, I’m not behind schedule on consumption. The beer train stops for no man! Also, it’s American Craft Beer Week. For someone… Read More 365 Iowa Beers: 11-15
I feel like there was a bit of a sophomore slump for Wizard World Des Moines in 2016. The first year saw heavy hitters like William Shatner, Billy Dee Williams, Lou Ferrigno, Robert Englund and several others. This year the biggest name draw was probably Chloe Bennet from “Agents of SHIELD.” That’s not a slight… Read More Wizard World Des Moines: Kevin Conroy & Loren Lester
UPDATE: Now I’m seeing that there’s some confusion on if reports of Darwyn’s death were accurate. I hope I posted this about 30 years too soon. Holy crap, 2016 has been a rough year. I just woke up with a nasty stomach bug and was flipping through my phone to see on Twitter that cartoonist… Read More RIP Darwyn Cooke, 1962-2016
When I was laid off last month, I decided I should try to get in shape. I felt like I was at my desk a lot while working at the Register, but looking back, I was going out on interviews regularly and walking around downtown quite a bit. But then I got a real desk… Read More How I learned to stop worrying and walk the mall
Short summary: I’m attempting to drink 365 Iowa beers in a year. You can check out the first five beers here. If you have suggestions for beers I should try (including homebrews), leave a comment or email joelawler AT gmail.com Beer 6: Backpocket Pennywhistle Wheat ABV: 5.5% Purchased at: Valley West Hy-Vee Notes: I used… Read More 365 Iowa Beers: 6-10
This week Rifftrax is doing a live riff of “Time Chasers” in theaters (it will be showing locally at Jordan Creek’s Century 20). Back in 2009 I interviewed Kevin Murphy of Rifftrax for a now defunct website. I recently found the text for the interview and decided to revive it. It’s interesting to look back on… Read More That time I interviewed Kevin Murphy of Rifftrax
Live Local Man 