The Faint at People's Court

The Faint show really shook the crowd at People's Court on Sunday.

No, seriously.

The floor moved as people jumped and danced with the music at the jam-packed concert on Court Avenue. My only thought regarding the floor giving out was "what a way to go". Having been introduced to their music by a good friend, I was already a fan of their dance-driven electronica (Worked Up--music ONLY on this clip!--I Disappear, and Sealed Human, for example) but seeing them perform live was intoxicating to say the least, and well worth the $15 (check out iowatix.com to pre-order concert tickets in the Des Moines area).

Having been to Liar's Club and Legends more than my fair share, it was nice to see another aspect of the Court Avenue area. People's is located on the third floor of Court and 3rd St. and has a stage, booths, tables, chairs, dance floor and full bar area (21+ only). I would definitely see another concert there, and would especially recommend it tbecause of the ease in locating it and the generally low cost for most concerts. I would also recommend seeing someone a little more quiet and mellow, say Dick Prall or the like, unless you don't mind a possible floor collapse mid-song.

515 Alive and Court Avenue Brew

On Saturday night, The Boyfriend and I headed to downtown Des Moines for a home-grown DJ festival. Main stages included DJ Flash, DJ Bui, and DJ Misjah from Amsterdam. I have a sneaking suspicion that going a few hours earlier would've proven to be more interesting as the 9PM crowds were stumblingly drunk and certain alleyways were veritable trash heaps. The music was just so-so. As The Boyfriend and I discussed, the music the DJs were playing was fairly typical. If you want to catch my attention play something like this or maybe something that will make me want to dance. Something to always keep in mind: what gets people moving is something that makes girls feel hot when they dance to it. And everyone knows that when girls want to dance, the party starts.

When crowds proved too annoying, we stopped at the Court Avenue Brew patio for some drinks and appetizers. The waitress forgot our first drink orders and promptly gave us a free round on the house. Martinis (the Starburst and the Orange Wave) were decent for the cost--$4.50 for an extensive list--and the Spring Rolls had an interesting take: pulled pork, black beans and a tangy sweet & sour sauce.

To finish the night off we tried the Beer Sampler for $12. Eight samples--probably 6 oz.'s--are assembled into a round tray and accompanied with the beer list. I was pleasantly surprised by the taste. Outstanding beers were the Pale Ale, Hiefewiesen, and Two Rivers, their light beer. I would definitely recommend their brews, especially on the patio in the summer so that you can scope out the crowds rather than get stuck in them.

The Dark Knight

I swear that I tried holding off as long as I could to post my review of The Movie of the Summer (and I don't mean Mamma Mia!). Two days was about all I could handle.

Before you read this, two things: I liked it very much, so you won't find anything contrary to most other reviews. Secondly, I strongly dislike most sequels because I usually view them as sell-out attempts at cleaning out the box office (if it worked once, it should work again, right?).

When I got to the theater, almost every seat was already filled. And if it wasn't, it was filled 20 minutes before the feature began. Since I had time to think, I wondered whether these people were there to see Heath Ledger's posthumous performance or to see the second installation to Christian Bale's Batman. I also wondered the same about myself. I thought Batman Begins was a successfully ambitious interpretation of the Batman genre (that's what it is, really) and even before Heath Ledger's death I knew that I wanted to be there for it's opening night. But knowing that one of the supposedly eeriest performances was to be a man's last performance certaintly gave me a morbidly curious desire to see the film. Either way, it was well worth the $10 ticket.

The Dark Knight was darker and more tormented than the last movie. There was less emphasis placed on the gadgets and secret lairs of Batman and more emphasis placed on the inner turmoil and questions of justice that each character is subjected to. Batman becomes even more of a creature driven by inner turmoil of being a custodian of public duty. As each person he loves is pulled away from him, he becomes more and more resigned to what his destiny holds. And we have yet to see what becomes of his fate.

Even more so than the last film, this movie was driven by a strong cast. The introduction of Maggie Gyllenhaal as his childhood sweetheart, Rachel, instead of Katie Holmes was a surprisingly welcome change. Although I am still not sure why this was negotiated (perhaps motherhood or other roles interferred), Maggie delivered a much stronger and oddly more sensual element to her role than did Katie. Aaron Eckhart added the perfect sense of political duty and brashness as the District Attorney Harvey Dent. Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine reprise their solid roles as Lucius Fox and Alfred Pennyworth, Bruce Wayne's two closest mentors.

And then there is Heath.

The emotions raked up by his performance are as tormented and as confusing as The Joker himself. The story he gives for his mangled scars caused a strange twang of pity in me as I realized he must be the victim of a loveless and abusive childhood. One soon realizes that his story, like everything else, is just a game: "I'm a dog chasing cars. I don't have plans. I just do things...". A brilliant loose cannon of sorts, The Joker's character seems to evolve throughout the entire movie, something I don't think I have recently seen a character do. Good characters become evil, evil characters turn to good, but The Joker becomes even more twisted and calculating without purpose as the movie goes on. Heath portrays moments of gruesome humor with The Joker's words, followed by quiet moments of tormented fervor with his eyes alone. It is truly remarkable.

My favorite and most memorable scene of the entire movie is of The Joker riding in a stolen police car in the twilight, his head leaning out of the window. The camera angle is shaky and the lighting is dim. The sound is muted as if he is impervious to anything around him. One can almost look through the makeup and see a young man at the pinnacle of his career, driving head-on into whatever comes next in this game of life. Almost

Mediacom

Mediacom is a local cable company, which, I am sure, must be as frustrating as every other city's cable and internet provider. But after two months of waiting on-hold, two months of payments with no service received, two months of technicians missing appointments when I've taken precious vacation time from work, two months of technicians showing up at my apartment for unscheduled appointments, this girl's patience--and budget--are wearing thin. It makes me question who is really responsible for things when it comes big companies not coming through for each individual customer. Part of the frustration I have encountered is that each CSR I talk to is very congenial, very apologetic, and also very helpful (so far as they are able). They apologize, re-schedule another appointment for me, and assure me that I can be credited for the past bills. But regardless of this, someone is responsible. That's why I have decided not to take out my frustration verbally on the technician who is already several hours later than planned. No, I will promptly thank him for his assistance--not to mention working on a Sunday--and I will be at the front door for Mediacom bright and early Monday morning demanding that someone own up to this next-door injustice on my checking account and internet connection.

In the meantime, thank God for my neighbor's unsecured wireless connection.

Palmer's Deli

I have serious doubts as to whether there is anything that can beat brunch on a Saturday morning after a long, tedious work week. And I have even more serious doubts as to whether there is a better place to eat than at Palmer's Deli on Ingersoll Avenue. By far one of the most unique and fantastic "one-stop" places to go: Catering, deli, their signature made-to-order salads or "spinners", home-made desserts, and selection of wines and fountain drinks. There is a seating area outside as well as glass-topped tables inside. And, you never know who you will run into on a Saturday morning. The Boyfriend and I enjoyed our biscuits and gravy and The Ingersoll (respectively) just a few tables from Chet Culver and his kids.

Part I

My life in Des Moines... the good, the bad, and the questionable, all from the perspective of a transplanted Michigander making her way in the world.

Why Des Moines? ____ (insert: career/boyfriend/wanderlust/love for ethanol/other). But that's beside the point. What you will find here is a running commentary on one girl's time in her new state. Movies, events, what-to-see, what-not-to-see, what makes it great, run-in's with local celebs (at least by Midwest standards), music reviews, whatever it is that adds or detracts from my time here... stay tuned.