After checking out the new arcade “In Play,” we went to The Park Ave Pub for some more affordable beer.?
Portrait time
Shooting pool
Waterfalls
? Group photo
? Free titty show.? Eric must have seen the picture of Josh at the Pub here.? Note: This is a re-enactment.? All names have been disguised to hide identities.
InPlay is? a new style arcade/restaurant/bar combo.? Juice, our nightlife focused fork of? The Des Moines Register? gave reviews that made this place sound spectacular.? It was ok, but we were slightly dissapointed with the quantity and quality of the games.? Sure, they are decades beyond Loco Joe’s games from the 1990’s.? But from the rave reviews I was expecting some revolutionary stuff that’s out of this world.? I don’t know if this is all the gaming industry can do these days or if they didn’t have the budget to buy the very newest and best.? Don’t get me wrong though, the games were impressive compared to anywhere else in the metro.? They had a lot of empty floor space, I hope they intend to add more games with time.
Everything was free this week to promote their grand opening of the new Des Moines location.
? Eric got really close to the high score many times, this time wasn’t one of them.? He had many tries that got him to just under 900.? We wondered if one of the InPlay employees practices every day so he can keep the high score.
? InPlay’s open spaces.? Pssst… add more new games here.? How about? the “virtual reality” games that you hyped in the misleading? advertisements?? That sucky game with the periscope is anything but virtual reality.? Even Loco-Joe’s has that reject of a game, and they don’t have anything produced since the year 2000.? Don’t lie in your marketing campaign, we hold grudges when you disappoint us.
Since all games at In Play were free this week for the grand opening, it was impossible to get on the popular games.? People? just? pressed the credit button? to? continue time after time, oblivious to the fact that people were waiting endlessly just to try anything.
? Since this boxing game couldn’t be hijacked like everything else, we spent most of our time here.
? I met this guy, he went crazy on this dance-dance spin off game.
? He wants to get into break dancing.? I think he’s got a shot.
? Went over to Adam’s and hung out in the garage.? We? looked at his bike and sung lullabies.
? One smokin’ bike
? Claire is one sweet pup
? And that’s “all she wrote” for tonight.
My turn
Well what is Richard doing here?? No one told me this punk was coming!
Richard pulls a prank on Steph
Everyone tried to convince Pee-Wee to come out with us.? He ran away screaming “But I don’t wanna!”
The usual suspects
No way, it’s Dion,? in neon… orange that is.? It’s been some 2 years.
Who can? touch their tongue to their nose?? “I can I can, me me me!”
? Brad gets Kassie a car for her birthday.
? Scare tactics
? Pee-Wee smiled once this day, and I caught the moment.
? 
Cheers to Richard and Heather’s new cocoon and Kassie’s birthday
Everyone to the cars, we’re going to 101!
I’ll start with an order of one megaphone please
It’s been a while since we’ve seen Primo too.
? Naughty Bonnie smokes in front of Josh
? My ninja stealth skills need some practice.
Headed towards downtown to? check out some places on Ingersoll Ave.?
? We stopped into this tiny bar called “Cocktail Lounge” on Ingersoll Ave in Des Moines.? It had interesting unkept 50’s/60’s decor but overall it sucked.? The? 7 people in there all knew each other and they made it known that we didn’t belong in their bar.? We were the youngest, everyone else was in their? 40’s or older.? The 1 bartender was polite as he served us, when he wasn’t away from the counter playing pool.? After enjoying the awkwardness of being constantly stared at, we left after each slamming our single beers? less than 10 minutes after we entered.? Do you have to be in a special club to drink here?? Do we need “Members Only” jackets?? Was this a secret hideout of the local cannibalism society?? Was this in fact a gay bar?? There were no women but the men looked like they have probably been in prison lately.? Perhaps we’ll never know.? ? Leave a comment if you know anything about this place or if you’ve been there.
3 (out of 3)? thumbs down in our book.
? Shuey jumps up and down after seeing a Big Tomato Pizza Co. nearby.
? He made us try it, and I’m glad.? I would have avoided the place because of the weird name, but this pizza was great.? I can’t explain why it was better, but it really was.? The neon light in the window says “Lousy Service.”? We went in another bar next door and got some beers and a booth to go with the pizza.? I don’t remember the name but the bar next to Big Tomato was fairly nice and had a unique atmosphere.? We started to feel comfortable again.
“We have so many chairs that our chairs have their own chairs to sit on.? We have chairs up the ying-yang in here.”
We couldn’t go here because they had a black shirt policy.? We forgot ours at home.
I don’t have any pictures of it, but we did go to Star Bar for the first time.? Although crowded, it was really nice.? The fenced in patio was great on this warm spring night.
? 
You and me, and me and you…
so happy, together…
? Conquistador looks in the mirror at herself and pounds her front paws at the mirror trying to figure out what this twisted psychotic device is.
Shnookums’ usual look.
Shnookums’ fur got really knotted, we think it was from feeding them cheap generic brand cat food.? Since Persian cats have such long fur they are real prone to matting.? A common solution is to give them a “lion cut” so they can regrow their fur.? This is the second time we had to give him one.? The cat? groomer we took him to wasn’t as good as the last one.? I think the long fur on his legs looked better shorter like the previous time we had it done, also the neck line wasn’t as impressive.
? His head looks way too big for his body after the “Lion Cut” because they leave the hair long on the face, legs, and end of tail… like a lion.? The? idiot cat groomer accidentally cut Shnooks’ right whiskers in half.
? When Shnookums has his full coat of fur everyone says he’s a fat cat.? In fact he is completely skinny and boney.? The vet is very impressed with him? because he is very fit and muscular even though he is an indoor cat.
After the haircut, the groomer gave Shnooks a dry foam bath.? He smelled good to us but lost his own smell.? His fur does have a distinct smell.? Cherish and I can both smell it and as weird as it sounds it’s? quite a pleasant smell.? On the other hand we can’t smell Conquistador.? After Shnooks returns from the groomer, Quisy becomes confused and doesn’t recognize his appearance and scent.? He kept trying to play with her, “Hey it’s just me,”? but she would have nothing to do with him.? They spent the next two weeks separated and every time he came near her she would puff out her fur and hiss loudly at him.? During this time Quisy displayed hints that she was claiming dominance as she thinks he is new and she thinks she was the first one here.
Shnooks really likes plants.? ? We picked him up some cat grass to give him a distraction from the discomfort of his new haircut and help him cope with temporarily losing? his best friend Quisy who wants nothing to do with him.? The cat grass is organic and specially made for cats to eat and digest.? I think it has a different smell that attract the cats also.
? He loves his grass
? Yum
Conquistador says “You don’t look familiar and you sure don’t smell familiar.? What are you doing in my house?”
Finally after two weeks he gets his smell back.? ? She realizes he’s the same Shnooks that she’s always known.? She hissed less and less at him and finally they are back to playing and cuddling like they used to.
? After the St. Patrick’s Day Parade? we hit up Johnny’s Hall of Fame in downtown Des Moines
? The place was packed, the whole area with seats was filled.
Hey, it’s Chris
Ryan too
“Bead me”
? Chris was Kung-Fu fighting
Green from her shoes to her hair,? plenty of Irish spirit
? There was live music going on at the Liar’s Club block party.? There were enough portable toilets for an army.
? ? I have no clue who played, we heard rumors of the Long Beach Dub All Stars coming but we got bored early and moved on.
Hey,? it’s Anthony, Mike, Ty, and Corey.
Anthony does his famous disgruntled zombie robot dance
? Cheers
? Partying it up at El Bait Shop in Des Moines
Since many of us started drinking early in the day, we were all a little more wild than normal.? Bar-wide cheers were being initiated every 10 minutes for hours.? We’re making up for the rest of the year when we just sit and stare.
? A fight broke out and ended as quickly as it started.? The cops came soon after.
? I don’t know what the deal is but the girl in the center appears to be crying while everyone is cheering.
May I rub my drumstick against your face?
Continued from Page 1? of St Patrick’s Day Parade 2007, Des Moines IA
We only saw one bagpipe.? I was dissapointed.? We missed the very beginning which we heard had more.
? Seeing shamrocks
? Pot O Gold
? 95 KGGO and guy giving away shirts
Melrose IA, Iowa’s Little Ireland, 1937 basketball champs, no snakes!? They also had a ginormous number of people and vehicles in the parade.
? Melrose fighting Irish
? Melrose Iowa parade unit 3-17.? Law and order runs afoul? while? the police car is out of town in the parade.
Conway Pallet family
? 
Pot O’ Gold in a wheel barrel
Dogs
? St. Pat was a Democrat
Northern Warren Fire Dept.
Hot chicken.? I don’t see the relevancy, but hey it’s entertaining.
? Shaw Clan, Faith and? Courage
The? Delaney crew
Candy was left all over the ground.? Since we were at the very beginning of the parade, candy was being dispersed towards us at colossal rates.? The street was saturated with dirty sand from the winter, used for traction on snow and ice.? This made the candy much less enticing.? Kids went home with black hands.? Would it have been impossible for them to have a street sweeper do a pass the day before?
? It’s not fun unless you get to be wild and crazy
The chick in the back of the truck gave me what appears to be a Star Trek hand gesture, then she waved and laughed hysterically.? I didn’t start drinking until after the parade, so I was much more confused than humored by her odd antics.
Most of the adults in the parade were drinking, some more than others.
2007 Irish fashion trends
Greyhounds
? O’Reelitz
? There were way too many filler entries (blatant advertising with no entertainment value) in the parade.? It would have been much better if they would have weeded these out.? After an hour of watching the parade we had enough.? Everyone else had enough also, the crowd thinned to 1/3 the size an hour through it.? Repetition is good for the brain, not for the eyes.
? I strongly suggest they use an application process where they can filter out entries with little to no entertainment value.? ? Make them compete in front of? a small? panel of judges who could rate the proposed entries and only a given number of? the best would be allowed to proceed.? We want quality, not quantity.
Animals, Attractions, Cars, Des Moines, Downtown, Holidays, People, Streets
The annual St. Patrick’s Day parade is the second largest parade in the state of Iowa.? A plethora of people come to be in it and watch it.
? Plenty of balloons
? Ancient Order of the Hibernians in America, Polk County.? Since I was taking pictures instead of watching, I was pelted with candy a few times.? The kid on the left is throwing candy our way at this moment.
Saturday night fever pose?? Anything goes on St. Paddys day.
The Murphy Clan
DMI Dance Force
Friend of Des Moines Girl
? Smokey’s
This is what they call a “kilt malfunction.”? The front of his kilt stuck to the velcro of his coat.
? It’s Bonnie and Josh
I wonder what? their lawn looks like at Christmas time?
Guys in Kilt’s representing St. Patrick’s day
? McGinn’s and friends
? Lepprechaun crossing
? It’s great to be Irish
The short bus, 100.3
? Georgetown, IA had a huge number of people and vehicles in the parade
? Georgetown Iowa, Irish spirit by night… Irish spirit by day
? Georgetown church and bar with door between
? Throwing beads
? Iowa D.O.T. Brotherhood of Islanders
Drummer men, 3 generations?
Elvis of? Good Vibrations DJ Service.
Groovy Girls was the name of this entry.? Your guess is as good as mine.
? The Church Ladies?? I’m clueless again.
See Page 2 for more
Animals, Attractions, Cars, Des Moines, Downtown, Holidays, People, Streets
? I? tried to get more downtown shots from different angles.? I couldn’t find the right place to take these from, so they all sucked.? Every place I went either a building, power lines, or something was in the way.? I think the pro shots that you see local businesses use were taken from rooftops of buildings.? Unfortunately I don’t have the backstage passes that they get.? Maybe some day I’ll find a way or meet someone who can get me there.
? Obstructed again.? Of course I’m not showing all my failed attempts at finding the right spot.? There were far too many.
? I’ll take a few of those right now, good sir.
? Graffiti by Omok.
? Ruan Center 2 and Marriot.
? 
“Just get me something real economical”? (Economical Auto Sales, Des Moines)
I’m a model you know what I mean, and I do my little turn on the catwalk.? ? Cherish bought a leash for our socialite? explorer female cat Conquistador (“Keesy”).? We decided to finally give it a go and take her for a walk.?
Yes ma’am, we’re walking a cat.? Everyone that we encountered thought it was so amazingly cute.? I guess I have to admit it’s the first time I’ve ever seen a cat walked like a dog.
Compared to most cats she has more personality traits much like a dog, but she lacked in focusing on continually? moving forward.? There was some zig-zagging and back-tracking.? Maybe some training would help.? Hmm… I’ll take one dead mouse hanging from a stick please.
? Conquistador’s eyes glow in the dark
Walking along the nature trail
? Over the creek and through the woods… and? grandmother lives in Milwaukee, wanna fight about it?
? Bridge goes over creek
? What is this I see?? ? Six deer in the grass by the nature trail.? This mini woods is in the middle of the city and surrounded by houses and buildings on all sides.? I would have expected to see homeless hanging out here (like by Gray’s Lake) more than deer.
? Oh, you see me too?? I was real careful not to make any sudden movements.? These young deer were so urbanized they not only hung out beside us two for 10 minutes, but a couple of them almost walked right up to us.
? Let’s get a move on.? The horny deer furthest to the right tries to mount the one ahead of it.
Each deer looks and pauses before crossing.? Smart.
? The deer run through the field along the trail up towards the busy street.? I’m not sure where they went or if they crossed, but I didn’t see any blood in the street the next day.
? Evening bike ride
? Gorgeous sunset
? Bare tree with many missing limbs from the ice storm
? Continuing from PAGE 1
? We started playing this game that they call “Boat Races.”? Two people compete against each other at the same time.? They race each other to finish their full cup of beer.? ? Then they have to sit the cup on the edge of the table and pop it up in the air until they get it to land upside down.? Since half the main goal is to drink as fast as you can, this is about as effective as beer bongs.? You need lots of beer to play this with the smallest of groups.
? Celebrating a win
? Fierce competition
Engines started…
After? finishing your beer,? you have to place the cup on the edge of the table and pop it up until it lands upside down on the table.? This is the part that requires grace and skill.
? Jesus Christ Security Guard.? See the tiny coffee, badge, and donut? in his hand?? If you can’t stop them, at least make them feel bad about it.
? They had an epic collage by the back door.? Some of the pics were hillarious, all were interesting.
? Right half of the awesome collage
? Anthony wins the photogenic person of the month award.? He said he’s taking some photography classes.? I suspect his best shots will come from using the self-timer feature.
? Shuey and Leslie pose for their portrait
? Team Pot Heads
? 
? Hey, wanna fight about it?? I’ll cast gypsy spells on you or something.
Reloading cups for next round
? We started out at Wellman’s on Ingersoll at around 8pm.? The place was empty, it was almost eerie.? Then Cherish went bowling with some chickies and I went with Shuey to a small house party.
? Most of these pics are a little blurry, I’m? still getting used to the Nikon D40.? I manually set the apperture to wide open earlier this day and forgot to change it back.? As you can tell on many shots, the depth of view is short.? Gotta start from somewhere…
? In motion
Enough beer to feed an army.? Tons of variety, that’s awesome.? I think we have some free thinkers in the house.? A fridge full of Bud Light? is all too boring.
? Mike races dog
? Dog wins
? Beautiful solid woodwork in this joint
Anthony wins both the “bum face” and “confused face” of the month awards.
Mike started doing some dancing that looked straight out of Hee-Haw.? No I’ve never seen it, but I’m taking an educated guess here.
Mike? playing the harmonica
? 
? This guy showed up and stared at us through the window all crazy-like.
? Leslie is pregnant, due in a week.
? Shuey accidentally stole Anthony’s beer.? When your drinking, tall boy 16oz. cans look the same as 12oz. cans.
? 
? Avid drinkers of the Captain Morgan Private Stock I see.
See PAGE 2 for more
Britney Spears going crazy!
? Gossip and rumor hour.? The latest personal info about the lives of people you don’t know but you have seen on TV.? Britney Spears is apparently all the rage this month.
Brittany Arrives.? Apparently there was a sand storm on her way over.
Shuey asked if he could borrow a tie to wear for the night.? Sure, let’s find one that matches your belt.? Yeaaah, how spiffy is that?
? I see you.? Oh, you see me too.
? The whole tie thing didn’t pan out.
? Abstract art on I-235
? We went to Johnny’s Hall of Fame then Royal Mile.? We were less than impressed with Royal Mile.? The only seats left were upstairs.? It was like trying to hang out at a rock concert, we couldn’t hear each other over the music.? After half an hour of yelling “what did you say? ? I still didn’t hear you!” at each other, it was time to move on.
Surprisingly,? this is our first visit to Court Avenue Brewing Company.? We were impressed, it’s a nice place and they have some great homemade brews.? It’s probably a little more trendy than some would like, but it’s a nice atmosphere when you want to do something different.
? Looking towards the front of Court Ave. Brewing Co.
Court Avenue Brewing Co. has great food and? great beer.? We were really impressed with this place.? The atmosphere, people, and wait staff were awesome.
? Shuey and I first went to Raccoon River Brewing Co.? Good homemade beer.
? We met Britt and Cherish at the bar at? the Waterfront seafood joint.? Then we went to 3 bag/3rd base and find that it’s too busy (on a Thurs).? Now we’re at Stix in Windsor Heights.? Stix is a chain of pool bars in the area with 10-15 pool tables.? It’s a nice laid back place to play pool, less gritty and cheaper than Big Dog Billiards.? Instead of renting a table hourly, you feed quarters to the table like at normal bars.? Although they have stools at the bar, I wouldn’t come here just to drink, if you’re not playing you’ll be bored.
? Brittany actually came around for once.? We rarely see her now that she doesn’t work in Des Moines.? We’ll see her again… next year maybe.
? Rock came out to pound some beers with us.
“We’re wearing the same exact jeans.”? But I don’t need an excuse to get a good booty shot in.?
? Synchronized billiards at Stix.
? Decisions
? Add some spin
It’s only Thursday, we still have to work in the morning.? Luckily Cherish is much better at knowing when it’s time to call it a night than I am.
Rock’s got some sick car doors.? They can swing out like regular or lift up.? You wouldn’t believe how useful this is for tight parking spaces.? Rock swears he sits on a phonebook to reach the steering wheel.
