A Journalism School Reunion

I know, I know. There I go again. Leaving you all alone. But I always have somewhat reasonable excuses for disappearing, don't I? This time I was prevented from posting for so long, dear reader, because I was off gallivanting around my old stomping ground, Des Moines, for a long weekend. (And then playing catchup afterward, of course.) Here's a rundown of my latest adventures.

Friday morning. Work in the Lexicon offices. (Yes, that's the custom publishing company I work for, in case you're wondering.)

Friday afternoon. Drake University School of Journalism National Advisory Council meeting. We (a group of young and not-quite-as-young professionals who graduated from the School of Journalism) meet a couple of times a year for updates on what's going on at the school, to provide feedback on curriculum decisions and such, and generally to serve as a sounding board. I'm currently president of the Jr. NAC.

Friday evening. I get to try a new downtown Des Moines restaurant! It's called Sbrocco, and it's a wine bar located right on Court Ave. We drink wine (of course) and dine on tasty fare. Then some of us head out to the first event of the first-ever SJMC reunion: a casual reception at the home of the current director of the journalism school. Then, of course, I meet up with some more friends for a night out in downtown Des Moines. But we have a big day Saturday so we behave ourselves. Really.

Saturday morning. This is really, really exciting. Maybe not for you, but for me. I go to yoga class. I try a new teacher at the new location for Firehouse Yoga, which is the studio I went to all through college. She's great, the space is great, and I am so excited to be back in a yoga class I can hardly contain my glee.

Early Saturday afternoon. I meet up with some friends for lunch at Noodle Zoo. We get to sample wedding cake because one of my friends is getting hitched next summer. It's delicious and I can't stop eating it. Especially the fillings. Raspberry and chocolate ganache? Can you say "heaven"?

Later Saturday afternoon. It's time for some time in Valley Junction, one of my favorite areas of Des Moines. Only rather than wandering aimlessly, we have a mission. We are helping a friend create a necklace at a gem shop there, courtesy of a gift certificate we purchased for her birthday. Sounds like fun, right? Only we hit a few snags along the way. But I'll save that rant for later.

Saturday evening. Time to get ready and head to the big SJMC reunion reception at the Cub Club. (It's at Prinicipal Park, the stadium where the Iowa Cubs play ... I hope it's OK to write "Cubs" on here now. That's still a sensitive subject with Conservative Boy.) Tasty appetizers, wine, and chats with alums and professors. Then, of course, we headed out again, to good ol' El Bait Shop, where they have a gazillion beers to choose from and I of course order a Fat Tire. Always.

I miss Des Moines. It's a terrific place. But man, it's exhausting to go back there. And the drive home on Sunday always stinks. Really stinks.