Night Out on the Town - High Life Lounge

Those who regularly follow the Night Out on the Town feature on Engy's will remember the High Life Lounge in Des Moines being featured. Wednesday night it was also featured among other restaurants on The Travel Channel's "Man v Food."

"Man v Food" is a series that places the host in locally-known restaurant that features an item on the menu that is a challenge to be eaten within a certain time period. On this show that restaurant was "Jethros," nearby the Drake University campus. But the High Life Lounge was also featured for its many delicacies. Above is a clip from the show featuring the High Life Lounge.

March Madness

With the clocks shifted to allow more daylight, Colin has decided to take advantage of it by practicing his jump shot in the driveway. He did acknowledge that he and Daddy were on the same team, Drake, and we were taking on Michigan. Of course we won and tomorrow we will take on Illinois as well as Tubby's Team.

However there is someone in Long Beach, California who doesn't believe Title IX should include one sport.

And other financial issues have hit the state of Michigan.

Finally, the last two days have shown outstanding

basketball. The NCAA Tournament is remembered for its last-second shots and heroic play, but I hope it can match the excitement the last two days have brought. Syracuse and UConn played to six OTs, then the Orange turned around after last night for another OT win against West Virginia. Kansas falls to the #9 seed, Baylor and then Baylor defeats Texas tonight to advance to the Big 12 Champsionship game. Oklahoma is defeated by Oklahoma State with controversy to end the game. The final 2.3 seconds did not start giving the Sooners two opportunities to win-each missed.

Iowa - Drake Women's Soccer

The University has had women's soccer for close to ten years, but I had never attended a game. On this beautiful fall-like night I thought I would take the family to a game. It was the season opener against the Drake Bulldogs. By the time we arrived the Hawkeyes were ahead 2-0 with about twenty minutes to go in the first half. Soon after taking a seat on the grassy knoll, the Hawkeyes scored a goal and increased their lead by one. We stayed until the 35 minute mark of the second half with hopes that Iowa could hold on to win this one.

I am definitely not a soccer fan, but it was more interesting to watch in person. A very good crowd showed up and few seats could be found in the permanent bleachers. I have met Iowa's head coach Ron Rainey, and talked with him on a number of occasions. He is definitely a person I would let my child play for. Very nice, humble and seemingly appreciative of the people around him. One of his players is the sister of a good friend of mine. Jackie Kaeding, the sister of Nate is also a very nice person. I met her at a San Diego Chargers playoff game in the '07 season and have talked with her many times as she worked this summer at Brown Deer Golf Course in Coralville, Iowa. It was these two reasons why we attended tonight's soccer match-up.

Although I am not a soccer fan, I was bored by tonight's atmosphere. We sat through a halftime with little entertainment. A contest for two little kids to dribble and kick a ball through the goal. This idea has been recycled throughout the many Iowa sporting events. Then the music that ensued sounded like they came from the original 8-Track. Then when the Iowa Fight Song was played, my wife and I were the only ones I heard clapping to it.

My wife said she may take Colin to more games this season. It won't be because of the half-time entertainment though. It will be for the play on the field and the beautiful soccer facility.