Demosthenes Spiropoulos
What's Up

What's Up is where I spout off opinions, random stories, buckets of funny things, and just generally advise as to "what's up." This blog has existed continuously for over 15 years (hey, we all have our hobbies) and posts has ranged from the thought-provoking to the boring. You've been warned.


D-mo's Book Club: Gretzky's Tears

June 6, 2021

When you talk about hockey with your Canadian friend, he might just send you a book about hockey. Honestly, it went places I wasn't expecting, and I learned more than I bargained for.

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Drinks with D-mo: Blue Hawaii

May 31, 2021

We wrap up May Mixers with the Blue Hawaii. Earlier, we said that blue curaçao is a versatile liqueur, so we decided to make the quintessential blue curaçao cocktail... the Blue Hawaii. Aloha!

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Drinks with D-mo: The Crotchie

May 19, 2021

Our May Mixers series rolls on with another suggestion, this time from the Space Cowboy's own mother. It's called the "crotchie" or "crotchy." We're not sure which way to spell it, so we're officially giving it the "-ie" treatment. But is it any good? Don't let us down, mom!

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Drinks with D-mo: Lake Erie Iced Tea

May 14, 2021

May Mixers continues with another cocktail request. It's called the Lake Erie Iced Tea and described thusly: "It turns brown and ugly, just like Lake Erie. Pretty yummy." Way to sell it. We'll try it anyway.

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Drinks with D-mo: Tonawanda Fire

May 6, 2021

In our new May Mixers mini-series, we have a request from my good friend, JM, to try a new cocktail called the Tonawanda Fire. Hear the story behind the name, and our review of it on today's show.

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To Tanjiro, With Love

April 29, 2021

After re-watching Neon Genesis Evangelion, I figured I would try and watch an anime that is a little more... recent. A lot of good choices were to be had, but I settled on Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. After watching it, I knew I had to write about it.

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Drinks with D-mo: Einstok Icelandic White Ale

April 27, 2021

An Icelandic beer caught Val's eye so we picked up a 6-pack. Brewed with coriander and orange peel, will it conquer like its Viking forebears, or will it be lost at sea? Let's find out together.

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Drinks with D-mo: Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey PLUS Chocolate

April 6, 2021

While we are reviewing Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey, we are doing so because we really wanted to review the chocolate bar that claims to be filled with it. BONUS REVIEWS!

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Melissa Photo Project: January/February/March

March 31, 2021

Time for Round 3 of the Melissa Photo Project where each week, my #1 friend, Melissa, receives an photography assignment from yours truly. With the simple theme I give, what photographic gems will she answer with?

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Drinks with D-mo: Bushido Sake

March 25, 2021

Sake... in a can. Not a bottle like every other sake in the world. No, a can. Ok, we'll play.

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Shirt Sponsor Shenanigans

March 15, 2021

The LA Galaxy unveiled a new jersey, and it's a beauty... except for one thing. And am I going to talk about it and include some needless rankings? Have we met?

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Drinks with D-mo: The Walking Dead Blood Red Blend

March 10, 2021

We received another bottle of wine to try from Superfans Bre & Lauren, and we hope it doesn't turn us into zombies. We also crack open the Drinks with D-mo mailbag to answer our first critique.

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Drinks with D-mo: Coca-Cola with Coffee

February 24, 2021

We like Coca-Cola. We like Coffee. Needless to say, Coke with Coffee piqued our curiosity. Let's crack open a can and review.

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Drinks with D-mo: Sangaria Peach Ramune AND Elisha Green Apple Aerated Water

February 10, 2021

We call it the "Bonus +1" episode, because it's normally two people reviewing one drink. But today... BONUS. Three people will be reviewing two drinks. The special guest reviewer? The Danger Diva!

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Neon Genesis EvanWhatTheHellDidIJustWatch

January 29, 2021

On a recent re-watch of Neon Genesis Evangelion, I found an thoroughly enjoyable and thoroughly confusing anime. I was left baffled. Let's discuss.

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Drinks with D-mo: Miller High Life

January 21, 2021

Today's episode is a request. We often reference Miller High Life on other beer reviews, but have never done a "proper" review for the High Life. In the ol' mailbag, we got a request to do one. Request granted.

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The Fix-It Files:
Los Angeles Chargers

January 18, 2021

A new series here on What's Up called The Fix-It Files, where I offer some key solutions to a problem faced by someone or something.

For this first edition, I look to fix the Los Angeles Chargers, and their biggest problem... relevance.

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Drinks with D-mo: McBride Sisters Black Girl Magic Rosé

January 7, 2021

We welcome 2021 with a return to the McBride Sisters Black Girl Magic collection and uncork the Rosé. No spoilers, but the "No Half Ratings" rule gets pushed to the breaking point.

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Melissa Photo Project: October/November

January 5, 2021

Time for Round 3 of the Melissa Photo Project where each week, my #1 friend, Melissa, receives an photography assignment from yours truly. With the simple theme I give, what photographic gems will she answer with?

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Drinks with D-mo: Stella Rosa Blueberry

December 25, 2020

Stella Rosa is quickly turning into our favorite wine label, and today we try their Blueberry wine. For the holidays, we figured a fruit wine is waaaay better than a fruit cake, so let's drink up and be somebody. Merry Christmas everyone!

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Zoe's Wake-Up Mix 2020

December 21, 2020

The task of waking up my daughter has fallen to me. I figured music should do the job. I posted this weekly on social media, but compiled the full year of tunes here, with links to these hits so you can enjoy them as well.

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Drinks with D-mo: Shmaltz Golden Jelly Doughnut Hanukkah Beer

December 8, 2020

Two words: Hanukkah Beer. Three more words: Golden Jelly Doughnut. Ok, you have our attention. 'Tis to season to see if this will keep us lit for 8 nights.

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Drinks with D-mo: Oskar Blues Death by Coconut

December 2, 2020

It's an Irish style porter brewed with coconut and chocolate. We like all those things, so let's see if they play well together. It's also called Death by Coconut. Let's see if we survive.

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Drinks with D-mo: Lillie's Collection Sauvignon Blanc

November 25, 2020

Superfans of the show, Bre and Lauren, dropped off a wine for us to try. They hadn't tried the wine themselves though. We say we'll try anything, so let the vino flow.

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Drinks with D-mo: Hello Kitty Sweet Pink Wine

November 17, 2020

Did you know that Hello Kitty makes wines now? Did you also know she was neither Japanese nor a cat. We examine both wine and vintner on this episode of Drinks with D-mo.

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Drinks with D-mo: Sapporo Premium Beer

November 10, 2020

We delve into a Japanese beer, that was brewed and canned in Vietnam, imported into Wisconsin, and finally acquired at a Korean supermarket in Los Angeles. Oh, and there is a very brief breakdown of Guys & Dolls that is in no way related to the beer. It just happened. It's what we do.

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Drinks with D-mo: Pulpy Tangerine Sake

October 28, 2020

Did we pick up this sake up simply because it was in a festive bottle? Yes. Pulpy isn't only the brand name; it's an apt description of the bottle's contents, which is weird, because... you know... it's sake.

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Drinks with D-mo: Hofbrau Oktoberfestbier

October 14, 2020

Oktoberfest has come to Drinks with D-mo, as today, we are "Getränken mit D-mo!" (Don't worry, the show is still in English) We looked for a good beer for Oktoberfest, and landed on one that's simply called Oktoberfestbier. Ok... wir werden es versuchen (we'll give it a go).

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Drinks with D-mo: Shipyard Pumpkinhead

October 7, 2020

Today's drink is a request. Is this brew a "basic bitch" beer? Does it taste like pumpkins? Did we finally find something requested by friend-of-the-show Victoria? All these questions are answered inside!

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Melissa Photo Project: August/September

October 5, 2020

In case you missed the first installment, each week, my #1 friend, Melissa, receives an photography assignment from me. I provide a simple theme, and her imagination does the rest. The only requirement is that she had to take the pictures herself.

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Drinks with D-mo: Amadieu Domaine Grand Romane Gigondas

September 30, 2020

Finally, a proper French wine lands on the show. As well as a fancy new corkscrew. Plus, our haphazard rating system gets vindicated. It was a packed show. Come enjoy.

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Drinks with D-mo: Golden Road Pineapple Cart

September 22, 2020

As we head into fall, let's wrap up the summer (that was heavy on pineapples) with another pineapple beer. Where will it land on this year's Pineapple Pantheon?

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Drinks with D-mo: Metaxa 7-Star

September 8, 2020

To celebrate what would have been my father's 73rd birthday, we try a spirit that, like my pops, is quintessentially Greek.

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Drinks with D-mo: Stone Tangerine Express Hazy IPA

September 1, 2020

This may be the greatest episode of Drinks with D-mo... for all the wrong reasons. The can says it's a "Hazy India Pale Ale with Tangerine and Pineapple." Sounds like a winner, right? Well...

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Drinks with D-mo: Geil Gewurztraminer

August 26, 2020

The Space Cowboy has been talking about a Gewurztraminer for a while now, so we figured we might as well review one.

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New NEW Chinatown

August 20, 2020

Did you hear the one about when I gave my east coast instructor an education on a west coast Chinatown... for a marketing class?

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Drinks with D-mo: Pau Maui Vodka

August 18, 2020

This isn't a pineapple-flavored vodka. No, no, no. It's a vodka MADE FROM pineapples. Ok, we'll bite.

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Melissa Photo Project: June/July

August 13, 2020

My #1 friend, Melissa, was having a bit of a creative block. So naturally, I do what any good friend would do; I put her to work!

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Drinks with D-mo: Golden Road Champango

August 11, 2020

The idea is was to take the popular Mango Cart beer, and make it feel like a mimosa. So why did we call it the "bologna of beer?"

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Drinks with D-mo: Casamigos Mezcal

August 4, 2020

We had a request to try a mezcal, so we picked up a bottle of the George Clooney one. If you don't know what a mezcal is, Professor D-mo is here for you.

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Drinks with D-mo: PBR Hard Coffee

July 21, 2020

Did you know that Pabst Blue Ribbon makes a "hard coffee?" Apparently, they do, and we're going to crack a couple open tonight.

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Drinks with D-mo: Blackstone Merlot

July 15, 2020

The label says it has notes of toasted French bread. I love toasted French bread, so I got a bottle. Truly, a scientific method of wine selection here at Drinks with D-mo.

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Locked... Dowwwwn in a Blaaaze of Glory!

July 14, 2020

I've maintained a relatively quiet stance on political commentary (because people hate it when I call them out on their errors and they start to feel like fools). But apparently, I reached my limit, and the muse to write came upon me. So I proceeded to drop this gem on social media.

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Drinks with D-mo: Bon & Viv Spiked Seltzer-Grapefruit

July 7, 2020

Hard seltzers are all the rage now. We tried one. Without too many spoilers... have you ever had a beverage that just made you sad?

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Drinks with D-mo: Pabst Blue Ribbon

June 23, 2020

Our first request for the show, and we review our first real beer. (Seriously, we'll drink and review any suggestion).

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Drinks with D-mo: McBride Sisters Black Girl Magic Riesling

June 16, 2020

A vineyard owned by two Black women? Yes, please! The Space Cowboy ordered up a 3-pack of wines, and today, we start with the Riesling.

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Drinks with D-mo: Stella Rosa Pineapple

June 9, 2020

Sometimes, a wine just jumps out at you, and you just have to get it. I'll try any beverage with pineapple in it... why not wine?

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Drinks with D-mo: Canada Dry BOLD Ginger Ale

June 3, 2020

This week, we go with a softer drink... but also a bolder one. Maybe? But don't worry, we mixed in a little booze, too.

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Drinks with D-mo: Stella Artois Cidre

May 26, 2020

We step away from wine this week to bring a hard apple cider from our friends in Belgium... Stella Artois Cidre (yes, spelled the French way).

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Drinks with D-mo: Kirkland Signature Sangria

May 19, 2020

Typically, sangria is something you make, not something you buy. After this episode, you may never make your own again.

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Drinks with D-mo: Kirkland Signature Malbec

May 12, 2020

The wine that started a whole new creative enterprise... but is it any good? The bottle says it features notes of plums, cherries, oak, and cocoa, so take a look as D-mo and the Space Cowboy uncork a spirited review.

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Canyons of Epiphanies

September 6, 2019

In a single week, I hit both Grand Canyon National Park and Zion National Park. Acting as a source of inspiration is constantly referenced when these parks are discussed. They are gorgeous, but did I find any inspiration?

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Movie Mumblings: Ghost in the Shell

September 10, 2018

I am a huge Ghost in the Shell fanboy. I enjoyed the original animated movie, and really loved the animated television series. Even had the opportunity to interview the English voice actor for the Major, Mary McGlynn. This may or may not skew the opinions within.

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World Cup - Who You Got?

June 7, 2018

For the first time in forever, I don't have a horse in this race. I'm asking who you got, because at this moment, I got no one... or maybe I do.

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The Egg Came First

March 29, 2018

I was recently asked by a friend the legendary philosophical question... Which came first: the chicken or the egg? Naturally, I have the definitive answer.

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The #gratiTuesdays of 2017

March 6, 2018

Hey friends, I'm back talking about #gratiTuesday. I'm still trying to make this a thing that catches on, because I really believe that we should all take a moment or two to thank those around us that have had such a meaningful impact on our lives. Who was worthy of thanks in 2017?

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Happy New Year... Wait! It's February?!

February 5, 2018

Happy New Year!

"Wait a minute," you're probably saying, "it's February. You're way off." Yes, I am. And no, I'm not. Let me explain.

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The Rams... Revisited

December 11, 2017

A little over a year ago, I wrote a What's Up article about the new (again) Los Angeles Rams. What a difference 12 months have made. Let's revisit, shall we?


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D-mo's Book Club: Onward

November 20, 2017

Here's a book about Starbucks, that you can read at Starbucks, while enjoying a Starbucks (the Egg Nog Frappuccino is sublime)

Onward by Howard Schultz
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What is #gratiTuesday?

November 14, 2017

What if I combine "gratitude" with "Tuesday" to create the portmanteau hashtag... #gratiTuesday. A day that we can show our thanks and gratitude. Thus, I trying to make #gratiTuesday a thing.


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D-mo's Book Club: Damn Good Advice

November 6, 2017

A book... written by a Greek guy... who calls himself "America's Master Communicator." Alright, I'll bite.

Damn Good Advice (for people with talent!) by George Lois
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Agent of Shields

November 4, 2017

As you know, I'm a designer. That also means I examine things with a designer's eye. The other day, I stumbled across a fun graphic. It shows the highway shields that each state uses for their individual state routes. Some are meh. Some are big time boffo.

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D-mo's Book Club: George Washington, Spymaster

October 22, 2017

You take a little history, add some espionage, throw in a dash of period-appropriate typeface, and you get this fun little tome.

George Washington, Spymaster by Thomas B. Allen
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No More Original Ideas

October 18, 2017

The most common refrain regarding Hollywood is that it has run out of ideas. They are recycling and recycling and recycling because there isn't anything new out there. But rarely, if ever, have I seen two different entertainment offerings with the EXACT same story.

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D-mo's Book Club: How to Win Friends & Influence People

October 9, 2017

I have always heard about this book through the years. Though I never sought it out, there it was one day, on the shelf in front of me.

How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie Read more...




Smells Like Silver

October 2, 2017

With the new hockey season starting in the next couple of days, and my TWO-TIME defending Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins looking to go for three in a row, I figured this would be a good time to reprint a blog post from 10 years ago when I got to see the Holy Grail of Hockey.

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When a #tbt Needs a Backstory

September 28, 2017

Even though it's been said that a picture is worth a thousand words, sometimes, actual words are needed. I can not think of a Throwback Thursday post that required a supplemental story, but this one... it definitely requires some context. If for nothing else than pure comedy.

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D-mo's Book Club: Where the Water Goes

September 25, 2017

For our second installment of D-mo's Book Club, we jump from fiction to non, with a very interesting read...

Where the Water Goes: Life and Death Along the Colorado River by David Owen
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Musings from a Wandering Monk: Turn! Turn! Turn!

September 18, 2017

if you're over the age of 40, you're probably heard the text of Ecclesiastes 3 somewhere else. You would be correct. It was directly lifted for the song Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season) made famous by American rock band The Byrds.

Maybe these guys were on to something. Read more...




D-mo's Book Club: Ready Player One

September 11, 2017

I've done a lot of reading lately, and I figured I would share some choice gems that might tickle your fancy in your own reading adventure. Thus, D-mo's Book Club was born. Lot of choices to start with, but since the movie version is coming out soon, I decided to start with...

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline Read more...




One Year Later

August 23, 2017

People experience grief in a multitude of ways. Some cry, spontaneously. Others run from it, trying to ignore it. Still others will mask the pain by turning to humor, to distract from the reality of life and death.

That brings us to now. August 23rd. One year after my father has passed away. Read more...




Top 10 Minor League Team Names
2017 Edition

June 8, 2017

In 2014, I listed the Top 10 Minor League Team Names. Since then, some teams have moved, old ones disappeared, new ones were born, and some changed their identity. I felt it time to power rank minor league baseball teams again... simply based on who they are. Read more...




Musings from a Wandering Monk: God Helps Those Who Help Themselves

May 20, 2017

A very familiar phrase that is often attributed to Benjamin Franklin. Some say it may have appeared much earlier.

I think it's an idiom that we need to re-visit, and perhaps, put back into practice today. Let me explain. Read more...



Movie Mumblings: Assassin's Creed

May 7, 2017

I love me some Assassin's Creed. And then the movie came out. Unfortunately, I don't make it to the theaters as much as I used to, so I didn't get a chance to see it during it's original theatrical run. But hello Netflix.

As the resident Assassin's Creed Guy, what did I think of the movie? Read more...




If you want more What's Up, delve into the archives of of Volumes 1 & 2 here and enjoy the gems I've previously written.



Thanks for visiting. Love, Demosthenes Spiropoulos