July 29, 2002
Coming off

Among the lessons of this year's RAGBRAI:

  1. It costs $186 to convince a woman to strip naked and slide down wet plastic in front of several hundred people (mostly men) with cameras.
  2. There are a handful of people who ride bikes for causes.
  3. Never mess with a practical joker.
  4. There is no better way to see Iowa than on the seat of a bicycle.

More as I think of it...

Posted by ryanhanser at 11:27 PM
July 18, 2002
suspension

Out riding my bicycle across the state; deadmoines dot com will be... well, dead for awhile.

Don't let things get out of control while I'm gone...

Posted by ryanhanser at 02:05 AM
July 14, 2002
Happy Birthday

On their tenth birthday, Cityview says "feel free to wander" down Court Avenue to see "local favorite upbeat groove band Interstellar Bus Stop" (which was booted from their bill to import Dazey Head Mazy from Minneapolis to celebrate with the people of Des Moines).

Let's all remember:

"The alternative business isn't an easy one. But for 10 years, Cityview's publisher and owner, Kim*, has stood by and spoken out on behalf of Cityview, staking her reputation on a typically scrappy bunch of reporters who tenaciously attack inequities and promote Des Moines' cultural scene."

And I don't remember seeing an Interstellar performance anywhere on Court, actually.

On a brighter note: Hyde Park had toes tapping at CABCO tonight.

Have a peaceful Sunday, all...

 

* Not her real name

Posted by ryanhanser at 12:30 AM
July 13, 2002
Seven Days

With only one week until RAGBRAI, it's comforting to know that the AA meetings have been set.

Posted by ryanhanser at 08:04 PM
July 09, 2002
Rant

Glad to see an end to all this "what to do about Valley" business.

Seems pretty simple to me... The West Des Moines School Board -- professionals in finance and education -- is elected to make this type of decision.

Still, a small -- and we're talking 3 or 4 people at the core -- group of citizens felt that *they* knew what was best, and, by extension, didn't trust the Board... I think that's sick. Tell me: when has this Board let the people down?

And though by now I shouldn't be surprised by the impact of such shenanigans, this "People with Too Much Time on Their Hands Trying to Tell the School District What to Do Committee" again proves the power of a vocal minority to... well, round up a bunch of signatures. And get tons of ink in the Des Moines Register. And get slapped down because they obviously didn't understand the role of public input in the District's decision-making process.

Force a vote? That doesn't work... Remember the Events Center?

Wonder why people don't think our elected officials listen to us...

Wonder what would happen if every citizen of Greater Des Moines was as engaged as these suburbanites in the civic goings-on...

Posted by ryanhanser at 01:17 PM
July 08, 2002
On Holiday

Downtown has been so happenin' lately it's been hard to find parking, but things seemed quiet -- patriotic explosions aside -- over the weekend. Even the East Side was almost serene on Sunday.

Perhaps folks were out of town?

I drove to my holiday destination, but air travel has increased in Des Moines (gasp!) as of late, and Continental began flights today. In fact, I heard people are driving from Omaha to fly out of *our* fair city.

Amazing...

Posted by ryanhanser at 12:06 PM
July 03, 2002
Reminder

Tonight at the House of Bricks...

See you tonight, Des Moines.

Posted by ryanhanser at 01:45 PM
July 02, 2002
append

The band Google lists as "Des Moines Iowa Rock Leaders" has been added to the local playlist by request.

See, you ask, and I deliver.

Punching Picasso's "She's Had It" is now in regular rotation on Dead Moines Radio...

Posted by ryanhanser at 08:57 PM