Are you on Skype?

This webcam thing is totally kick-ass!

I heart my webcam. Really- I guess that I love everyone else's webcam because they allow me to see other people. We got ours yesterday. We got it all hooked up and running this morning. We communicated with the Causey's in PDX for a while and then we chatted with my pops. This shit is so much better than talking on the phone. If you already have internet service, then it doesn't cost you anything extra. I am super stoked on this technology.

We had to set up the webcam on Heather's work laptop due to the unreliable performance of our home laptop lately. The home laptop is mysteriously working again right now. I think that the reason for the poor performance of this machine may have something to do witht he fact that I spilled a beer into it the other night. I actually spilled said beer right next to the machine. I thought that I was in the clear until I went to type something and was met with a very loud beeping noise that clearly communicated to the user that something is definitely not working. It was then that I took a closer look at the machine and noticed a tiny dried trail of suds that terminated right into the keyboard.

The rest of the computer seemed to be functioning normally. The keyboard was just not operational. We started using the onscreen keyboard until we purchased a seperate keyboard to plug into it. Whatever- I actually like using the real keyboard. Everything seemed cool until I started installing the software for the new webcam last night. All of a sudden the mouse wouldn't work. Then the computer started making all kinds of weird noises. Several restarts provided no relief from the failures. Same story this morning. I thought that I would check it just for kicks this afternoon. Boo-Ya! Success. I have very little expectation for the future performance of the machine. We bought it in 2003, so it's led a long fruitful life. Problem is- we have no money with which to purchase a new machine. Luckilly, Heather can bring home her work laptop every day. We have an external hard drive that contains all our files, so we're cool.

We really want to try out a macbook with our next machine. I was looking at some prices the other day, and I saw some basic macbooks for a grand. I think that we'll just wait until we have the money for one of those badboys. That might be a while. Until then I am looking forward to lots of strange noises from this thing and lots of explicatives out of my mouth.

The cowboys are playing right now. Final week of the season with a win and in scenario. It's basically a playoff game for the boys. Damn it's gonna be a good game. I will begin watching it soon. I'm recording it and waiting for a while so that I can skip through commercials and not catch up to the live action until the end. I normally wait until the game is almost over before I start watching so that I can skip commentary between plays as well, but this is a huge game and I actually want to hear what those knuckleheads have to say about it all. The eagles actually have a couple of my favorite players. John Runyan, Dawkins and Westbrook. I love those guys, but I hate that team- and those fans.

I am now going to begin calling people to bug them to get a webcam and get on Skype. This could take a while, but it will all be worth it in the end. The glorious end.

I-285 Again

Jesus- what does it take to become a frequent flyer? Yet another trip last week. Destination- ATL!

Why would I go back to that sorry city yet again? I'll tell you why. It was Gloria's 60th birthday (that's Heather's mom), and Heather, Jen, Steve and I all flew in to celebrate with her.

We left the negative temperatures in Denver and arrived to 70 degrees in the A-town. Humidity and everything! It was awesome. Pops picked us up at the port and we wasted no time in getting to a Mexican joint for some white cheese dip and margs.

We dropped pops off (he was nice enough to let me use his pimpin' ride) and headed to Perimeter for the birthday dinner. We got a private room at Chequers and enjoyed some of the best food that I have ever had. The Tuna was quite possibly the most delicious thing to enter my mouth. Ever.

The next day we headed up to Gloria and Michael's mountain house in Franklin, N.C. Michael just bought the neighboring property (including the palatial double wide), so it was fun to have a huge area to roam. The boys had a campfire and we drank several bottles of some premium Avery shit from Michael's reserve collection. Relaxation was had by all.

The following day we packed up and headed to Michael and Erin Smith's place in Braselton. That's Heather's brother. The evening ended in usual fashion with Heather and her brother fighting as we pulled away and headed back to Gloria and Michael Reynolds place.

We got up the next morning and headed to Marietta to see pops and B.A. We hung out with them all day and then pops dropped us off at the Simon's, where dad took posession of his pimp ride again.

We had a lovely dinner and visit with Tony and Gia before playing Rock Band until 2 A.M. We had many delicious libations and rocked the shit out of that so called game. I will be purchasing Rock Band at some point in the future. Off to Hartsfield in the morning to meet up with Jen and Steve and cruise back to Denver.

I hate those kind of trips. It's time off of work, but it's no vacation. Trying to visit as many people as possible in a very short time. Driving all around the greater metro area and beyond. It sucks. When I got to work the next morning, I felt like I needed a day off.

Luckily Christmas is here. X-mas is good for a day off of work, but that's about it as far as I'm concerned. Everybody goes broke trying to buy gifts for everybody else. People do their annual piece of charity work and pat themselves on the back while the poor go around with no health care the rest of the year. Currrent musicians take already marginal christmas songs and do their inevitably terrible renditions. You have to say "Happy Holidays" to everyone you come in contact with. I don't care if they have a happy holiday at all.

Christmas sucks.

Having said that; I did buy presents for all the family members and so I will be accepting gifts in return. We got webcams for all the family this year so that we can communicate all futuristically. Problem is- the credit card rewards gift card that we're using to buy our own webcam hasn't come in the mail yet. We don't have our own webcam. Oh well- Jetson like communications will have to wait for Heather and I.

We have Jen, Steve, Kim Turner and Kim's folks coming over for Christmas Dinner tonight. Heather is currently cleaning the house. I should probably get to helping her out before her anger boils up inside to the point where it comes spewing out all over my face. I can handle the molten malisciousness- it's the dog that I feel bad for. He shouldn't have to witness those things.

ipod ruining my life

Heather had her 10 year anniversary with her company this week. She had her choice of what I must say was an oddly eclectic list of gifts. While I was pulling for the Hitachi 18 volt combo cordless tool kit, Heather made the smart decision and went with the new ipod classic. This thing is 120 GB. That's unbelievable. Yet it still costs less than our first ipod (which was the mac daddy at 30GB). We have a huge music collection at 70 GB. The new ipod has been syncing since 9PM last night. It is currently 12 hours into the process and is (please wait while I go check the status) not even halfway done. Sweet Jesus we need a USB 2.0 port.

It snowed again in Denver last night. We got about 4-5 inches. Winter has officially set in. I think I might go get some winter tires put on the Jeep. My southern truck (a.k.a. rear wheel drive) has been sliding all over the place. No studs mind you. The new technologies relating to rubber compounds are great. They make studless winter tires now that you can run all year. People are getting like 40,000 miles out of a set. I put a set of expensive all seasons on the Lexus (Heather's car now) and it is getting great traction in the snow.

I'm going to add a second tap to my kegarator setup at the house. I'm a freakin' brewer. Why shouldn't I have two of my own beers on tap at home? Hell, I think I'm being pretty conservative by only adding one. I should be able to scrounge enough parts from the brewery to keep it well under $50. This is not good news for my liver.

Am I crazy or isn't one supposed to shovel their sidewalk when it snows? Looking down the street this morning while I was shoveling the walk I couldn't help but notice that only one other person had cleared their walk. Does that mean that I am a better person than my neighbors? I say yes. I am a better person.

I already want a snowblower.

Shady People Doing Shady Things

So I watched a pretty good movie this weekend. "Smart People" stars Dennis Quaid, Ellen Page, Thomas Hayden Church and Sarah Jessica Parker. I find Parker to be annoying, but in this film she played a role that is unlike most of her previous rolls. She didn't annoy me at all in this film. That's good- because you don't want to annoy me. Bad things friend. Bad things.





One of the things that I really liked about this movie was the fact that it was really just a moment in time during these character's lives. There was very little back story on the characters, and nothing was really resolved in the end. I dig those kind of movies. I freakin' hate it when everything is wrapped up nicely during the final 10 minutes, or when the good guy wins in the end. I like it when the good guy dies or the movie just abruptly ends while everything is still all screwed up. Like I said- don't cross me friend. I'm mean.





I love my dog- he's the coolest. That's what his medal says- "coolest dog". Not really- but it could- cause he's cool.


One thing that I love about city parks is walking by all the parked cars with people in them and wondering what they're up to. This morning I walked by a guy in his car who was eating fast food. He had wrappers up on the dash while he wolfed this crap down. His face was glowing as he kept looking around. He had on a uniform shirt of some kind. He was obviously headed to work. You gotta wonder if his wife won't let him eat that crap or if he's supposed to be on a diet; and that's why he can't eat it at work either. I have walked by cars where one person gets in another car and they're making out. Hmmm.....

Also- you've got these people who drive to the park to take care of their business that they don't want anyone to see; and they're right next to kids going to football practice and homeless people, and me walking my dog. All different classes of people side by side. That's the reason I so love the DMV. Doesn't matter who you are, you gotta go the DMV and wait like everyone else. I mean- If Warren Buffet wants a drivers license, Warren Buffet's gonna be sitting next to that same trashy toothless dude that you are. Of course- these social phenomenons only occur inside large cities. That's another reason that I like living in the city.

People in America seem to think that we have a very multicultural society. You know- the melting pot and all that crap. Bologne. Go to a big city in Canada sometime. That's multicultural. The big cities in Mexico have all sorts of people from all over the dag blamed globe. The history of Mexico is full of people migrating there. Whatever- I just wish that people in this country would stop thinking so highly of their "tolerance". Ethnic groups in this country still tend to gather in neighborhoods populated by their own kind. I know that's human nature, but it's less the case in some other places.

Got myself a new pair of Dickies yesterday. The old workpants were wearing holes. These Dickies oughta take care of that concern. I love the little proud moments in the life of a blue collar working man. I'm not joking. These are my people- this is who I am. I will never work another desk job in my life. Take that shit to the bank. And get me some money while you're there. Blue collar has it's downsides.

Feeling an Itch

It was 9 degrees last night while I was driving home from Boulder. 9 degrees. The roads were rich with ice and snow. My morning commute yesterday took 2 hours and 20 minutes. The high temp was 23. Tomorrow it will be 59 degrees. Last Sunday it was 69 degrees. This place has some fucked up weather.

I went to Portland a couple of weeks ago. I flew in on a Friday morning. I sat down on the train and waited for it to depart. Another train pulled into the port and I watched the people unload. What a mix of folks. Old dudes with stylish facial hair and cool hats. Young people with all sorts of body jewelry and tatoos. Rednecks with lots of plaid and baseball caps. I hadn't seen such a variety of people in a while. Like- since I left Portland. The thing of it was- they all existed together in harmony.

I walked off the train and strolled to Richard's house where i dropped off my crap. I hopped a bus from there and headed downtown. I went to the foodcart row at Stark and fifth. I got the biggestest baddest assinest falaffel sandwich ever. I sat downtown eating my supersandwich and watching people. It was at this point that I almost called to cancel my return flight.

I went down to the Rock Bottom to kiss a little ass of my regional manager- Van. He happens to be buddies with Jamie from Ninkasi, and Jamie happened to be there. We all walked around the brewery and shot the shit. Drinking beers of course.

I hooked up with Spence and he drove me to the old hood where I went for a visit to the old house. Is fucking weird to be in your house while someone else's shit is filling it.

We went out to Lompoc and met up with all sorts of folks. Hit ground kontrol for a while before Zak and I went over to the Green Dragon to meet up with Richard.

Off to Eugene in the morning to see the Ducks game. Tailgating is one of my favorite things to do. Good times.

I love Portland. A lot. I want to get back as soon as I can. I enjoy having new experiences, but it's clearly going to take more than Denver to keep me away from Portland.

I am now doing some brews from start to finish on my own. There will soon be beers on tap that I can call my own. I still love working at the Walnut in Boulder. The commute is long, but it is totally worth it. That place kicks ass. I speak of both the bar and the city.

Thanksgiving is a stupid holiday. Ours was mellow and I am thankful for that.

I am looking forward to getting up to the ski resorts. Heather and Jen went last Monday. Heather got all new boarding gear. New boots, bindings and board. We are actually hooked up with all the apparel. We slowly found good deals on ski clothes over the years. We rarely went to the mountain, so it's all lightly worn and in great shape. I am looking forward to cozy cabins with hot tubs and fireplaces and snowshoeing with Dunkin. I am going to attempt to ski, but my knee is not doing so great- so my outlook is guarded.

I want to roll. I am going to quit this blog and try to talk Heather into going bowling.

Too Spicy

I entered a chili cookoff yesterday. I finished second. There were only three chilis there.

It was at the Perkin's house in Lafayette, CO. There were supposed to be six chilis there, but three people flaked on making chili. What a bunch of lazy ass holes. It's not hard to make chili. Just throw some meat, beer, onions, peppers, canned tomatoes and water into a big pot. Add some spices and lots of chili powder and there ya go- chili. That is of course not how I make chili, but not everyone is willing to spend six hours on the task.

I had the contest in the bag despite the stupid scoring system, and then two late-comers arrived at the party. I forget the guys name, but under the taste category- he scored my chili a one out of ten because it was too spicy for him to taste at all. What a pussy. I lost the contest by 2 points. 188 to 186.

My chili was the shit. The winner even announced upon accepting his prize that mine was the best chili. Whatever, he didn't have anybody ask him how he made his chili. Even his wife asked for second and third helpings of mine. I was simply deducted by numerous people for being too spicy- even after they all said that mine was clearly the best. I'm done now- except to say that this batch was the best chili that I have ever made. I continue to get better. I think that I am ready for a real competition.

The L button on my laptop is failing. How frustrating.

I am flying to Portland this Friday. My first time back since leaving last July. I can't explain how much I am looking forward to this visit. I really miss that city. I am going to the Oregon game with Zack and Richard on Saturday. It is an annual thing for us, and I am excited not to miss this year due to geographic obstacles. Priorities are important.

It will be very strange to see my house, and even more strange to not be sleeping there.

I started working at a second brewery last week. The Walnut Brewery in downtown Boulder. What a kick ass place! I love that downtown. I love that bar. I love my new boss. I will be splitting time between the Denver Chophouse and the Walnut. I totally dig this situation. It is fun to go to a different place for work. Mix it up a bit. Plus- the Perkin's house is on my way home. I have already crashed Perkin's family dinner once. I love that place. I love that family.

My new work situation will almost double my income- bringing me slightly above the poverty line. Woo-hoo! My boss decided to just give me the max pay for an assistant brewer at Rock Bottom. He said that I probably won't be working any harder in order to get little pay raises. He is correct. He said that he believes that I work hard because I want to be a brewmaster. He is correct again. Things are looking real good on the brewmaster carreer path.

I am enjoying my job and the potential for this to be a career so much that I have even relaxed my already fluid plans to move forward on the cruising sebatical in a year. I really lucked into this brewing situation, and I am going to make the most of it. The senior brewer for Rock Bottom is named Scott. Scott runs the Westminster brewery. Whomever is currently training under Scott will be the next Brewmaster. The other day my boss was talking to me and he mentioned Scott. During the conversation he very casually slipped in the phrase "Scott is who you will be working for soon". I can't expain how excited I got.

Man I can't wait to start making some money. This living on minimum wage thing is shit. I am freaking poor. Heather makes good money, but it's not enough to make up for what I am making. If somebody would buy my stupid sailboat, then our troubles would be over. Until that happens I will remain cash poor. I miss going out to bars and restaraunts. I am tired of my cooking.

Despite my financial difficulties, I have not been this happy in a long time. I have never in my life been excited about my job before. My bosses love me. I doubt that they have ever had an assistant tackle their menial work with such enthusiasm and care. I mean, cleaning brewery equipment is not fun work- and most people just do what they have to. I leave that shit sparkling. When I reach my alloted hours, I clock out and then continue working. It might sound crazy, but it actually makes me happy.

Sunday chores await. Now I am done.

Yo Ho Ho-

It's the brewing life for me. I dig this job. You gotta work a lot of hours; but you can work those hours whenever you want. I see why brewers typically start work very early in the morning. It takes about 9 hours to brew a batch of beer. Tack on another 3 hours if you want to do a double brew and fill up the fermenter.

Right now I am lounging in bed at 7 AM because all of our fermenters are full of beer that is still fermenting or barely attenuated. We won't be able to brew again for at least 11 days. There is plenty of maintenance cleaning to be done, but the faucets have been cleaned and we cleaned all the lines on Wednesday. (I can taste the difference in the beer). The brewmaster decided to have an easy Friday today. He can do that. As long as the serving vessels are not empty and the costs are not abnormally high, nobody messes with him. He sets his own hours.

I have been bringing home growlers of our beer, but growlers suck. I have worked the old craigslist magic and acquired an old refrigerator from some old lady in a retirement community. $50 for a working fridge that is still in current use in her kitchen. Scott is bringing his work trailer over tomorrow morning and we will go get this bad boy with the help of a full on appliance dolly we use for barrels at the brewery. I don't plan on breaking a sweat. My boss is going to supply all the tapping equipment for me. From now on, when we decide to empty a serving vessel a little bit early- that beer will go into a keg in my fridge. Hell yeah- it's the brewers life for me.

I am finally getting comfortable with operations at the brewery. That shit was pretty overwhelming at first. It's like a big boy erector set that uses giant hoses, clamps, gaskets, tees, elbows, valves and all sorts of other hardware. Everything centers around a huge hot water tank and a powerful pump. I can't tell you how confusing it all was for the first few days.

Brewing has been really fun this week. We made a bitter on Monday. It's called "extra bitter bitter", and it was the first non regular beer that I helped to make. It was also the first beer that has lots of hops in it. I think we used about 11 pounds of hops for a seven barrel batch. Yesterday we brewed a dopplebock. This was the first high gravity beer I've brewed. It made cleaning the mash tun much harder work. That was a lot of grain. The hopper below the mill actually filled up and the grain was spilling out of the test slot right below the gringers of the mill. We used as much grain as we possibly could. Lot's of specialty grain in that dopplebock. We used a lot of hops in that beer as well, but you won't notice with all that malt. The wort was amazingly sticky. I'm really excited about both of these beers.

I'm struggling to find books that I want to read in the Denver library. You see, Denver does not have the greatest collection of sailing books. In fact, there were only two books that I hadn't read. I bought a couple of cheap paperbacks from our local bookstore, but those books have been consumed long ago. I just read "into the wild". It was a cool book, but I want to read about sailing. Oh well, I guess I'll have to give in and read something else. I definitely can't afford to go online and buy sailing books. Did you know that I make minimum wage? Not for much longer. After another week, I'll be working about 24 hours a week at the brewery and earning the same paycheck.

I have a lead for another job. The guy who delivered some chemicals to the brewery was chatting with my boss and telling him about losing two employees. That would be perfect for me. I could walk in to his business and do anything he needs me to do without any training. I would be able to deliver chemicals to all the breweries in town and get to know the brewers. I will be getting his contact info today.

Only 1 week until the Great American Beer Festival. Tony, Mike and Kelly will all be visiting Denver for this glorious event. The largest beer festival in North America will elude us no longer. How to drink so many beers and remain upright? The boys will be attending 2 nights, but I fear that still won't be enough to taste all the beers that we'll want to sample. We'll see. With the one ounce tasters, we should be able to get through most of them.

Well I guess that I should get out of bed. I don't have to be at the brewery until 11 AM, but I got some things that I want to do this morning; like finish off my leftover mexican food from last night. Talk about your breakfast of champions. I fear no BM. Talk about a band name.....