Tastes of Llama

Photo wall

2009-12-29T11:47:00.002-06:00

Patent

2009-12-29T11:37:00.000-06:00

I just submitted my first patent application to our Intellectual Property & Legal department. Here goes nothing!

Now, back to party prep.

Curling

2009-12-11T10:40:00.002-06:00

In addition to playing at the Dakota Curling Club in Boo-urnsville I'm also playing at the Owatonna Curling Club in Owatonna (duh). At OCC I'm taking a break from skipping to learn how to play second. It's been interesting to say the least. I expected great and consistent ice but one sheet is anything but. So far we lost every game we played on that sheet. Suck. We're currently 4-3 on the season and hope to keep our momentum going.

In related news, it's the Dr. McGillicuddy Bonspiel at OCC this weekend. Sixteen teams with a three game guarantee. I'm playing lead in this tournament and I think we have a very strong team. Wish us luck!

Snow

2009-12-10T14:53:00.003-06:00

In which things happen

2009-09-16T15:48:00.003-05:00

Late last week my manager scheduled a fifteen minute long one-on-one meeting for today. Usually one-on-one meetings are thirty minutes. I thought to myself "uh-oh, no good can come from this," because at my individual development plan meeting we had two weeks ago there was talk of me changing departments and leaving my current position (with which I have a love/hate relationship).

Anyway, at the prescribed time I headed down to his office and closed the door. We talked for a few minutes about his continuing laptop problems (his laptop blue-screens and shutsdown at inopportune times during the day; he, our IT guy, and I have troubleshot this for the past eight months) before he said, "Let's get down to business."

"I have some news to share with you which I'm sure you've figured out by now."

Pause which lasted a lifetime.

"You've been promoted to Band 7."

I almost said, "No way!"

He went on about more responsibilities, what a unique experiences and exposure I've had as Band 6 and will continue to have as Band 7, etc, etc. I recall little else about those first few minutes as I was in shock.

"...I started this process back in July and with the reorg changes it finally got approved last week. The band change has been back dated so you'll receive back pay..." at which point I went into a little shock because it came with a raise, too.

Then we talked about my current projects and I headed back to my desk.

But it gets better: My living room rug finally ship yesterday, my curling shoes arrived, and there's a curling tournament this weekend. Can it get any better?

What a span

2009-07-28T15:36:00.003-05:00

Almost two months since my last post. Where does the time go?

Housework
Work
Trips to the Cities
Trips to other places
Planning other trips

Some highlights of note (in no order):

I survived a business trip to Venezuela. I wasn't kidnapped or swindled... just incredibly hung over.
I'm two hours closer to getting my Level I Curling Instructor certification.
My team won the curling club's Hot Shots event. We received some awesome curling books (not joking, they rock! the title isn't half bad either.)
I stretched my photog skills at the Rochester Triathlon.
I decided on furniture for the upstairs living room. I need to double-check the size before ordering.
Many gatherings were attended.
I built a counter-flow wort chiller. Pretty awesome for next time I make beer (whenever that is).
I'm leaving for the yearly BWCA trip next week. The next ten days are filled with planning and packing details. I should become Project Management Professional-certified.

So there we were...

2009-06-09T20:57:00.003-05:00

...finishing up some housework when my dad says, "Look over there!" I look out the kitchen window and what do I see?

Yup, a deer lost in the city. I grabbed the camera and carefully stepped out on the deck.

It managed to cross a major highway and at least one busy street to get here.

Good for you. Now don't die crossing Elton Hills Drive.

Moved in

2009-05-06T15:21:00.002-05:00

It's now day 7 of home ownership.

Rooms touched up: Bedrooms & bathroom & kitchen wainscoting
Rooms repainted: Kitchen (we couldn't find the original color)
Other painted: Inside of kitchen cabinets.
Rooms left to touch up/repaint: Living room, office, kitchen, basement.

Funny story about the kitchen: My mom and aunt volunteered to paint and do touch-ups. Unfortunately they couldn't find the original paint for the kitchen and didn't like the alternatives (my aunt was bold enough to try each of the remaining colors on the kitchen walls).

We got back from the apartment with a load of stuff and my mom says, "We're going to Home Depot to get more paint. We couldn't find the original color and don't like the ones here."

My response, "Go for it."

I now have a Mocha colored kitchen. Unfortunately the paint changed colors mid-paint-session and needs a second coat to cover up Behr's mistakes.

I still have a lot of totes to unpack but that number shrinks every day.

Left to unpack: Kitchen, master bedroom, books.

On a positive note I did get a new toy... a weed-whacker (or edger for the rest of you). It's a fun toy :)

henry takes claim of the house

2009-04-30T19:28:00.000-05:00

owned!

2009-04-30T09:49:00.000-05:00

the pen

2009-04-30T08:52:00.000-05:00

the dogs are ready

2009-04-30T08:31:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow

2009-04-29T09:07:00.003-05:00

I went to the chiropractor yesterday and things are looking up. I have a second appointment Friday morning at 8 am (ugh).

In other news... tomorrow is closing! I'm beyond excited...I'm ecstatic! I have a few last minute items to attend to (like the cashier's check).

Tomorrow I'm updating the blog as the day goes on. Stay tuned for regular updates!

And weeeee! (possibly NSFW)

Three days to go...

2009-04-27T11:24:00.003-05:00

...and I threw out my back. All the moving boxes and curling rocks caught up with me.

I literally rolled out of bed this morning. At a snails pace.

I'm going to the chiropractor tomorrow and in the meantime I'm staying dosed on ibuprofen.

Here we are

2009-04-22T15:29:00.002-05:00

It's now a little over a week until closing. I'm pretty damn excited. The apartment is somewhat packed; books, garage, DVDs, and games are all packed. This week end I'll package most remaining wine/beer/mead, eat my way through the freezer, and start packing my room and the kitchen.

Hopefully I'll get a little Caprica thrown in there, too.

Second Post

2009-04-10T09:34:00.002-05:00

Waaaaaaaay back in 2004 I took a merry old trip to England (Oxford, that is). On my last day in Oxford I paid the Anglican church five pounds (ten dollars) for the privilege of climbing the top spire of University Church of St Mary the Virgin.

It was a b-e-a-utiful morning and I snapped this shot:
Naturally I touched up the color, removed a bum, a van, a really ugly building and a few cranes.

Why all the hubub? Schmap picked this picture for it's Oxford guide. Sweet.

Wasting time (22 days)

2009-04-08T13:45:00.002-05:00

I'm wrapping up my contingencies. Homeowner's insurance will soon arrive, the appraisal took place, and the preliminary title search came back clean.

In the mean time I'm packing. And by packing I mean packaging. And by packaging I mean taking care of brewing projects. I have three small projects (gallon jugs of wine and mead) and five large projects (five gallons carboys of wine and beer). I will have the three small projects and two large projects bottled and one large project kegged. The other two large projects need another year at least before they're ready.

Hmm. Maybe I might need more time off work...

New Toy

2009-04-06T19:14:00.001-05:00

Because I'm a klutz and spilled beer on my old laptop (spilly!) I bought a new laptop. Nothing too spectacular, just an updated T60 and dock.

Back to our regularly scheduled program

2009-04-03T09:43:00.002-05:00

This just in: the seller's found a house. Back to closing and moving April 30.

Let's hope it stays that way.

In which I'm a "decent" person

2009-04-02T15:32:00.004-05:00

I gave the sellers three options:

They lease the house for three months @ $1300/month. This pays the mortgage and pays me for the damn inconvenience. I keep my apartment through July 31. They have to be out by July 15.
They get a one month lease for $2088. This pays my apartment's rent through July 31. They have to be out by May 30. I pay mortgage.
No lease and they hit the street April 30.

I think those options are more than fair, all things considered. It sucks that they couldn't get the house they wanted but they should have planned for this contingency.

If I didn't charge the fees similar to those above I'd be royally screwed as I'd be paying more than $2000/month in June and July for both a house and an apartment. That's pre-utilities and other monthly payments. If I were married we would have two incomes and might make this work but seeing as it's just little ol'me it ain't gonna happen.

I will say this: karma is a bitch. They jerked me around on the final price so maybe this is nature's way of letting me come out ahead.

Their agent is out of the office today so I'll know more Friday.

Hold your horses

2009-04-01T13:28:00.002-05:00

Here I am, 29 days away from closing, when I get a phone call from my-aunt-the-realtor. She informed me that the sellers were unable to close on the house they wanted and that they want to push closing back to May 29.

That is not an April Fools Joke.

I told my-aunt-the-realtor that my loan lock expires May 5 (and I definitely want that rate), I've submitted my lease-break form, and I cannot clean a house, move, and clean an apartment in 2.5 days. Not going to happen.

I told her I'm willing to rent back to the owners if they're out before May 22nd. That's three weeks after closing and a full seven weeks from today.

Naturally this throws a wrench into my already made plans but I think I'm taking this whole thing rather well.

sold

2009-04-01T10:13:00.000-05:00

Novice Spiel Day 2 &3

2009-04-01T10:07:00.002-05:00

Saturday @11:15am: Lost big time
Saturday @9:15pm: Lost by inches
Saturday 11:45pm: Drank away our pain and planned for next year.

Sunday 11:00am: Watched the two remaining DCC teams play each other.
Sunday 12:30pm: Killed 4 hours at Ikea, Best Buy, Slumberland, and Potbelly's
Sunday 5:30pm: Fourth curling game of the weekend (regular curling league). I skipped and pulled out a win.
Sunday 6pm: DCC team wins the Fourth Event in the Novice Spiel!!
Sunday 8pm: Beer and appetizer @Applebees
Sunday 11:30pm: Back in c-Roch.... working.
Sunday 1:30am: Bed.

Novice Spiel Day 1

2009-03-28T02:56:00.001-05:00

Draw time: 10:15pm
End time: 12:12am
Final score after 7.25 ends: 8-3
Result: We won!

Saturday Breakfast/Bloody Mary Bar: 10am
First draw Saturday: 11:15am
2nd draw Saturday: 9:45pm

Sunday...???

Lab

2009-03-26T17:52:00.002-05:00

Testing... this is the view from my desk. Normally people sit at the tables on the other side of the room.

Check out that rockin' phone. It's older than I am and, I bet, older than anyone else who reads this blog.

The free pop machine that no-longer-gives-free-pop-due-to-budget-constraints.

One of many white boards.

The conference table which houses the pirate hat (if you screw up the network you have to wear the pirate hat).

Missing from the frame: Dwight Schrute and Michael Scott bobble-heads, the giant stack of manuals and paper, and my hoard of napkins.

Hump Day

2009-03-25T19:05:00.003-05:00

Today I planned on finishing my PBC (Personal Business Commitment, or "How I'll contribute to the business's bottom line") and starting a new project at work. Unfortunately the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.

My realtor/aunt asking me to contact my lendor and find out if they have a title company they prefer I with whom to work. This was followed by an email asking me to send the PA to the bank and a request to hand the earnest money to the seller's realtor.

Keep in mind my aunt is two hours away in Fairmont, MN.

After talking with Eikie/Smelly and hitting up the Potato Bar at the Caf for lunch I headed to the bank. I walked out 20 minutes later having paid my origination fee and locking in my interest rate at... 4.625%. Rock. Lobster. I love 70 day lock-in.

I also came away with the final good faith estimate which took a huge load off my mind.

Whelp

2009-03-23T14:16:00.005-05:00

Friday: Last episode of Battlestar Galactica. I could take it or leave it.

Saturday: Transferred orange-zest-infused hefeweizen into keg containing two quarts of blood orange juice for carbonation. Cleaned a dirty carboy. Bought and started a wine kit. Easiest. Brewday. Ever.

Made lemon-rosemary-thyme marinated chicken with port & onion reduction, with saffron & green onion rice, and steamed asparagus for dinner. In a word: awesome. Did you know some people lack the gene to smell what I'll lovingly call "asparagus pee?" I didn't.

Sunday: Curling season at Dakota Curling Club started! I drove up early to help setup and teach a "Learn to Curl" class. Following the class my team played and lost our first game of the season. It was rough playing with a new player who's a complete novice but he jumped right in, did his best, and had a few great shots.

Whelp Kiddos, as made evident by my last post the current owners countered my offer. After curling I learned the counter's details: Me paying closing and meet-in-the-middle selling price. I wasn't surprised by their counter but thought I could eek out a little bit more from them considering current market conditions. Current plan: counter the counter.

Monday: Called my aunt-the-realtor and said I want to counter with a reduced asking price. About an hour later she emailed me back saying the sellers won't budge on the price.

Decision time. Accept the counter or walk away?

I accepted and am closing April 30!

(Dawn, I changed my mind and decided moving into a house, moving out of an apartment, and cleaning said apartment over the course of three days would be a bit too stressful. Now I have an entire month to take down curtains, shelves, move, and clean.)

Tuesday: Came into work and talked with one of my coworkers. His brother was in town through Monday looking for a house. He told me March is a rough time to buy a house in Rochester as this is when Mayo Clinic doctors start their residency. He said his brother's list went from 40 houses to 30 in the course of a day due to sales closing. That explains the seller's behavior with respect to the counter-counter offer.

I just signed and submitted the acceptance. All the appliances are definitely staying and the electric fireplace might stay (I could care less).

Now I have an inspection, appraisal, walk through, loan application and major packing ahead of me before April 30.

Memorial day in Rochester? Maybe I'll roast a chicken. ;-)

Counter'd!

2009-03-19T09:40:00.004-05:00

My realtor informed me that the sellers are countering my offer. I'm glad they want to do business with me! The seller and their realtor will discuss the counter tomorrow night. I'll know more Monday.

Here comes some more household lovin': the kitchen.

The offer's been made

2009-03-18T15:30:00.002-05:00

Today was a stressful day. I woke up early and dropped the car off for an oil change and brake fluid flush. Come to find out the car needs about $1600 worth of work to fix everything that's wrong with it. I opted to fix as much as possible today and delay the rest until the next oil change. There goes my bonus for the year.

Also, since Monday I worked on putting an offer in on a house. Well the last contingency's been read, last line initialed, and the offer is at the seller's realator. Whew.

In celebration, here's another picture of the house. This is the hallway looking into the living room (on the right) the formal dining/third bedroom on the left. If you look through the bedroom you'll see the kitchen sink and cupboards. I really dig the hardwood floors and crown molding everywhere.

Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Here goes nothing!

2009-03-16T14:28:00.002-05:00

Well kiddies, the ball is rolling: I've made an offer on a house.

I'm having a hard time not falling in love with the house and liking it instead. It sounds counter-intuitive but it's the truth. I want to save my love for after closing just in case things don't work out.

As such I won't post pictures of the house until after closing. It will help keep me sane.

Ok, one picture. I swears it.

Woot!

2009-03-06T09:26:00.004-06:00

When my D40 arrived in the mail I headed up to the Cities and masqueraded as a tourist for a day (with T and Ace). First stop: Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and Botanical Gardens. The three of us took many pictures of Spoonbridge and Cherry and warmed up in the tropical gardens. A sample:

After the sculpture garden we headed to The Wienery for a quick lunch of, you guessed it, hot dogs. To clarify I had a polish sausage with sauerkraut, hot sauce, ketchup, and mustard. To top it off we shared an island of fries.

Post lunch we headed to St. Paul and visited The Cathedral of St. Paul.

What's missing from this picture? The bitterly cold wind whipping past the camera, freezing skin within minutes. Yikes.

Why am I posting this four months after the fact? One of my pictures made it into an online Twin Cities guide!

This picture of the Basillica of St. Mary in Minneapolis can be found in the Schmap.com Minneapolis guide to Churches & Cathedrals.

That brought some joy to my day :-)

I think it's time...

2009-02-15T20:28:00.003-06:00

...to buy a house!

Now that the economy is surely in the crapper and current interest rates hover around 5% I think the time is right. Looking at a few real estate sites I've found I can get a 4 bed/2 bath, 3 wood-burning fireplaces-laden-, porch w/spa-house for less than $155k.

Not too shabby.

Time to visit the loan officer and see what happens.

Montana

2009-02-09T10:50:00.001-06:00

In Response to Sarah, Part II

2008-10-29T22:14:00.001-05:00

Here's an update on my citrus from this post.

This is the Lemon Drop (aka Sunquat). As you can see it's produced nicely and the fruit are slowly ripening. They should be nice and sweet come March, 2009. I guess patience is a virtue.

The is my Satsuma Mandarin Orange. You can't really tell from the photo but there are small hints of orange on the fruit.

Peggy & Glinda, the Ruby Red Grapefruits (think about it). Lookin' good ladies! I just started these two in March, 2008. So far so good.

Mike the Meyer Lemon. He's not doing so hot. The grasshoppers got the best of him in August and the spider mites got the best of him in September. If he doesn't recover I have Mike II through XII to take his place.

That's the Familia de la fruta cítrica. They're currently battling a spider mite infection but I'm positive they'll pull through.

Perry the Peace Lilly, Nancy the Norfolk Pine, Vince the Venus Fly Trap, Nathaniel and Chris the November and Christmas cacti (respectively), Sid the Sundew, and Samantha the Spider Plant are all doing well. They're not quite as cool as citrus :-P.

The Pirate Spiel

2008-10-08T22:33:00.000-05:00

Shmest Shmuy

2008-09-09T13:48:00.002-05:00

I was just named Lab Advocate for a company whose name rhymes with the title of this post. I'll answer their questions and submit their requests for inclusion in our product.

Not to mention the potential monetary increases come March/June 2009 due to the increased responsibility.

Wheeee!

Omnivore's 100

2008-08-28T13:24:00.002-05:00

Here’s what I want you to do:

1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.
4) Optional extra: Post a comment here at www.verygoodtaste.co.uk linking to your results.

The VGT Omnivore’s Hundred:

1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras
24. Rice and beans
25. Brawn, or head cheese
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beer float
36. Cognac with a fat cigar
37. Clotted cream tea
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat
42. Whole insects
43. Phaal
44. Goat’s milk
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more
46. Fugu
47. Chicken tikka masala
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini
58. Beer above 8% ABV
59. Poutine
60. Carob chips
61. S’mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. Kaolin
64. Currywurst
65. Durian
66. Frogs’ legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant.
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers
89. Horse
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake

I'm back!

2008-08-26T09:56:00.001-05:00

Yep. Been back for a few days now. From all the skin peeling off I look like I belong in a leper colony.

Here are the pictures from this year's trip.

Paddlin' the school canoe...

2008-08-14T15:44:00.002-05:00

...that's a paddlin'.

I leave tonight for the midnight showing of "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" at Rosedale AMC 14 with some friends. Tomorrow we'll get up, re-pack our bags, double-check our lists, and depart Steaming St. Paul for Evangelical Ely. Saturday will be an early morning of buying fishing, picking up bait, visiting the outfitter for our items (paddles, PFDs, and permit) and to watch the kick-ass BWCAW Bear video. Then we'll drive an hour to our entry point and start our canoe trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Seven days in the wild. I'm giddy with excitement.

Here are pictures from last year's trip.

Mmm, Brewing

2008-07-25T21:45:00.001-05:00

So I decide to chronicle my adventures in alcohol here: http://clausbrauerei.blogspot.com/

Keep up, post comments, etc. and you may find a homebrewed gift waiting at your front door someday!

Whoops

2008-06-26T12:16:00.002-05:00

A few weeks ago I made some RyePA (India Pale Ale made with Rye). At the time I was extremely excited about this batch and could not wait to transfer it it secondary, dry hop, and keg.

I transferred and dry hopped two weeks ago.

For those non-brewers in the crowd two weeks is a long time in the life of an ale. I was sitting at my desk this morning and remembered this fantastic brew.

Tonight: the kegging.

In response to Sarah

2008-06-08T17:53:00.001-05:00

Yes! Citrus can survive in the upper midwest!

I picked up these two fine specimens ($29.99 each) at Lowes here in the Roch. I could have picked up a Mexican Lime (aka Key Lime) but decided to wait until one of my seeds grows up.

Mandarin (Satsuma variety). This will produce some b-e-a-utiful Mandarin oranges. They will be ready for picking this fall.

Lemon Drop (aka Sunquat). This is a cross between a kumquat and a lemon tree. You eat the whole fruit, rind and all!

A baby mandarin orange. Yum

As you can see these plants live on the rocks outside my front door. They'll live out there until about mid-September, when I start weening them to the indoors. They'll require lots of light during the winter but it's OK: I have south-facing windows. Come April-May next year I'll reacquaint them with the great outdoors in preparation for more fruit.

Hooray for citrus!

When Life Hands You Lemons....

2008-05-22T21:49:00.000-05:00

Grow a lemon tree! (or 27)

Yes, I have 27 Meyer lemon trees available. I also have 5 Ruby Red Grapefruit trees. I'm looking for some good homes for these trees. They'll provide the sweetest lemons (or grapefruits) you'll ever taste. Leave a comment, send me an email, or give me a call and I'll get you a tree.

Did I mention they're free?

I know, I know

2008-05-01T14:11:00.002-05:00

When I logged-in to blogger I noticed the "Last Publish Date" was "March 18, 2008."

Yeah, I'm lame.

Even though Sarah says I'm cool, I'm still lame.

Let's see...what's happened since March 18...

I sucked at curling. Which is a surprise since I'm the team's skip/captain. After two weeks of practice I've improved dramatically. Time to finish the season strong and win the next two games.

Hmm, now there's the Hydukovich clan. That was six tons of fun. Met a lot of great people, had some awesome food. Maybe drank a wee-bit much. Maybe.

That led to a work trip to Vegas. Also six tons of fun. I highly recommend the Red Square at Mandalay Bay. It's a vodka bar. Guess what they serve.

After that I made hefeweizen (mmm, wheat). Then I passed the brewing torch to Eric & Xmas. I also sparked some interest in winter curling at the Owatonna curling club. Mwahahaha.

What else...oh. I have yet to pick up Mario Kart Wii. On May 11 it will be mine.

Why the lapse? Back to Vegas for work. I leave May 3, Saturday. Back to the land of frozen margaritas and Penn & Teller.

woot.

Oh, and this. Excitement.

It's been a while

2008-03-18T15:17:00.002-05:00

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I've been busy.

Eik graced us Minnesotans with her countenance last weekend. We went to the Barnes & Noble in the old Chateau Theatre, ate some good food, went to Wisconsin (and bought clocks! and beer).

Oh, and played Rock Band. A lot. Like it played the same two songs every set list alot ("Roxanne" followed by "Buddy Holly"). Like 4am a lot.

Good times.

Then curling started at Dakota County Curling Club on Sunday. I was very nervous. I haven't curled since last July when the instructional league ended. Practice was rough. I couldn't find my balance, my throws were all over the place, I couldn't hit the broom. Yuck. Then we decided who played what position and I was nomitated skip (the captain). The skip directs the other members of the team and throws last to (hopefully) score more points or prevent the other team from scoring. Anxiety abounded.

Then the game started. Let's just say I found my groove. We scored a five point end(!!) and after seven ends we won 11-4. I think it was 11-4, I only remember our eleven points. :-).

Unfortunately I'm sore as hell from using those forgotten muscles. I forgot how much hard work sweeping is. But it's worth it. Thirteen days until our next match!

League Standings

It was a rock lobster!

2008-02-27T16:30:00.003-06:00

Tomorrow is the true due date for the lab. Last week was a warm up. I have the lab done and am currently proofreading it. I will not have gone through the lab per-se, but I've done all the steps I've written down at some point in time. Let's up they like it.

Also, this.

Yeah, that's going to kick some serious ass.

Back to proofreading. Oh, and writing a set of PowerPoint slides (they're "due" in the same way the lab was "due" last week).

I live a pretty avant-gard life.

I hate Microsoft Office

2008-02-20T14:01:00.002-06:00

and it hates me. Labs are due in two days and fsckin' Word freezes every time I open it.

Green Thumb

2008-02-13T16:32:00.002-06:00

Yet another hobby: Gardening.

That's right. As if home brewing, steeping, infusing, curling, mixology, photography, etc. weren't enough.

What plants do I have so far?

Areca palm (small)
Areca palm (medium)
Peace Lily
Norfolk Pine
English Ivy
Rosemary
Christmas cactus (it's just a little baby)

What's on tap?

Pineapple
Meyer Lemon (germinating as I type)
Cinnamon basil
Lime Basil
Peppers
Meyer Lemons
Ruby Red Grapefruit
Mexican (key) lime

I'm waiting for about 20 Meyer Lemon seeds to germinate. After germinating I'll place them in water bottles filled with soil. Eventually they'll make their way into a large pot as "dwarf" Meyer Lemons live inside during late fall and winter and outside during late spring and summer. In three to five years I'll have the sweetest lemons ever (no really! Meyers are a cross between lemons and oranges).

I'll post progress as appropriate.

I expect I'll have extra lemon/lime/grapefruit trees so if you want your very own citrus tree drop me a commnet or email.

Sign me up!

2008-02-05T21:50:00.000-06:00

At the caucus, someone thought we need a new state flag and thought the party should support this resolution. There was very little discussion and went to vote. I was the only dissenting vote. Idiotic. There's nothing wrong with the state flag. Personally, I think it's way better than South Dakota's.

Discuss in the comments.

Today's been a career day...

2008-01-30T20:20:00.000-06:00

...futures made and fortunes lost.

One of the joys about working at the biggest of ceruleans is that first quarter is re-org time. The first week back from Christmas break was filled with news of new directors, moved VP's, resignations, promotions, etc. The team I work with moved down the totem when a new VP inserted herself between the directors and the "main" VP (that's what she said). No big deal. Things like that don't matter in the grand scheme of things. Less than a thousand people were affected.

Luckily no re-org for my department.

Maybe.

I found out yesterday that the team I work with is "moving." They're not physically going anywhere but they/we are moving to a new reporting structure with a new mission. What's this new mission? What was the old mission? What the hell does Zeke actually do? I don't know where I am. There's blood on my knife. I think I killed someone. :-) very inside joke of me.

Our team focused on getting things to work for the first time. We create intellectual capital (a fancy way of saying documents) that fellow works and/or customers use to get their own setup running.

This new org focuses on a word that isn't even a word: consumability. <-- Not a real word! HA!

Instead of focusing on depth we're moving to breadth. Cross-product interaction. Integration. e-buisness. SOA. SaS.

This may or may not affect me. The VP who's leading this charge and taking the team under his wing will visit the lab tomorrow (Jan. 31). I don't know how or if this will affect me but I'll know more tomorrow morning. Maybe I'm leaving my lofty position in the department of product architects. My manager kept me in the dark so far so who knows.

More at 11 (and after some Office Space).

German Alt

2008-01-28T22:13:00.000-06:00

That is all.

Nothing's Going to Touch You in This Golden Year

2008-01-09T11:16:00.000-06:00

Sorry Bowie, I couldn't resist.

This year I celebrate my golden birthday. It begins in precisely T-15 days.

What's my plan for the year ahead?

A trip, in April, to Las Vegas for work.
A second trip, in May, to Vegas for work.
Another trip to the BWCA this summer
A trip to Germany sometime this coming fall/winter. Either Oktoberfest in September or the Christkindlesmarkt in November/December.
More Camping!
Exercising more
Getting Outside
Watch less TV (the WGA strike makes this easy)
Not working so much
Reading more
De-clutter
Play with Tyson more than I have over the past year
Not worry
Save $$
Enjoy life!

Lucky you...

2007-12-19T21:56:00.000-06:00

you get two posts today! Yay!

So now I'm hooked on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the 90s. There are some gems:

Hootie and the Blowfish: Only Wanna be With you
Collective Soul: Shine
Marky Mark (need I say more)
Jewel: Who Will Save Your Soul?
Nirvana: Smells Like Teen Spirit
Weezer: Buddy Holly
etc...

I'm quite surprised: most of these songs rock!

...and what's the deal with muffins?

2007-12-19T10:16:00.000-06:00

They crumble and leave big messes in your workspace. Oh, and they're freakin' huge. Where's that dog when I need him?

That's it for today's topic of "muffins."

I'm putting off writing my Personal Business Commitment results for the year 2007. "They" use that information to determine how I performed over the past year, which, in turn, determines how big a raise/performance bonus I'll receive in March.

I know I should write them but it's Christmas time; there's next to no one in the lab, we're waiting for conference acceptance emails, our products hit the streets Friday, and really there's nothing much to do.

However, I fill my days with food and drink blogs:

*EDIT - 2 pm*
I just finished the first draft of my PBCs. Whew. Supid muffins.

Mmm!

2007-12-11T14:40:00.001-06:00

Conferences!

2007-12-10T17:29:00.000-06:00

I just found out that two of the abstracts I'm attached to have been accepted to Impact 2008! April 6-11 in Las Vegas baby!

I'm waiting to hear back from two other conferences; Tecnical Leadership Exchange (April 6-9 in Orlando, May 19-22 in Rome) and WebSphere Services Technical Conference (May 5-9 in Las Vegas). Yes, there is an overlap between TLE and Impact. If I'm accepted to TLE we have enough people where we can send some to Orlando and others to Vegas. Also, if they accept the TLE abstracts there's a 50% I'll get to go to the European TLE in Rome! Hopefully I'll know before Christmas. :-)

Mmm, accidental lambic

2007-12-05T21:31:00.000-06:00

I love pleasant mistakes. For example, I made a Scottish 80/- (eighty shilling) about this time last year to enter in the "Eis-anything" category at the Upper Mississippi Mashout Homebrewing Competition. Unfortunately I didn't make the deadline so the bottles sat in my beer closets for the past year. Also unfortunately the beer was infected Brettanomyces when it was outside freezing (that's why it Eis-Scottish).

So the bottles sat. And sat. And Sat. AND SAT.

Until today.

Tomorrow I meet with some of my fellow Rochester Area Zymurgy Enthusiasts (R.A.Z.E) to discuss brewing. Naturally there's beer involved and I need something to bring. Of course I'll bring some kickass oatmeal stout. I'll also bring some 1+ year old Bourbon Vanilla Porter. But I needed something more. Did I mention I forgot to label all the beer I made over the past year? Oops.

So I had to figure out which bottles were which beer: Bourbon Vanilla or Eis-Scottish. I was apprehensive when I opened what I thought was the Eis-Scottish. It was a gusher. I knew it was Eis-Scottish. But instead of throwing it out I decided to give it a try.

Man, it's gooood. Really good. I love me some sour beer and this hits the spot. It's tart, fruity, clovey, acidic, and complex. I may let it age some more and see where it is in another year.

What about the Bourbon Vanilla? Some are flat and lifeless. Others taste like medicine. Not a winner.

Trying something new.

2007-11-27T17:18:00.001-06:00

While driving home last Wednesday I listened to an interesting story on NPR about Partial Fasting and what happens to the body throughout the fast. I decided to give it a try and today's the day.

Up until about 2pm I was feeling like I do on a normal day, except for the caffeine withdrawl. After that I started to slow down and right now, 5:30pm, I feel like I'm a little bit drunk from light-headedness. It's a little hard to concentrate, but I did kick Dorn's ass at Set yet again. Oh, and there's the constant peeing. I've drank like 50 oz. of water so far today and there's more to come before the end.

And the cravings, boy I could go for some pistachios right now.

Food time: 8:30pm
Food: Spaghetti & Sausage & OLIVES

Musical, anyone?

2007-11-19T10:01:00.000-06:00

I have my eye on Sweeny Todd. Anyone else want to go?

Show	Date/Time	Venue	Sign-up deadline	Price	Seat Location	Quantity of tickets
Sweeney Todd	02/09/08 2 p.m.	Orpheum	12/20/07	$58	MF3-4 F-M
My Fair Lady	03/01/08 2 p.m.	Orpheum	01/10/08	$65	MF3 F-N
The Drowsy Chaperone	03/29/08 2 p.m.	Ordway	02/28/08	$58	Orch Right J-M
Jersey Boys	04/19/08 2 p.m.	Orpheum	01/10/08	$80	MF1 Q-S Balc5 D
Jesus Christ Superstar	05/03/08 2 p.m.	Orpheum/ State	03/28/08	$60	MF1 A-Q
Cabaret	05/18/08 2 p.m.	Ordway	04/16/08	$54	Orch Right L-R

Writer's Guild of America Strike

2007-11-13T13:20:00.000-06:00

Well, if you didn't think the WGA strike affects you, you're wrong.

Especially if you love The Office or Family Guy.

This Thursday is the last new episode of The Office until after the strike ends. The reason: Most of the writers also star in the show! Oscar (Oscar Nunez), Angela (Angela Kinsley), Kelly (Mindy Kaling), Toby (Paul Lieberstein) and Ryan (BJ Novak) are all striking. Steve Carell and Jenna Fischer won't cross picket lines.

I support the writers' strike. They don't receive any income from the "new media", the Internet. The writers, actors, directors, producers, hair stylists, grips, etc. don't see a dime of that ad money.

For a list of how many episodes are left for each show, check Wikipedia.

I'm walking on sunshine...

2007-11-11T14:41:00.000-06:00

*bark bark!*

Friday and Saturday were were well-deserved respites after a hellish two weeks. Becky visited the Roch. Friday night we played some cards, went ice skating, played some more cards.

Saturday Melissa and Becky made monster cookies while we watched The Office season one. Then we went to Hobby Lobby where I picked out two frames and some matte board (you'll have to visit to see the completed project). Then we went back to Chris & Melissa's for more Office, drinks, and games (500, Speed Solitaire, In a Pickle, Pit). A good time was had by all.

Now I'm back at work, attempting to but the finishing touches on a demo for my manager. He leaves tomorrow for Toronto and New Jersey. Unfortunately we don't know if he needs another demo for the following week. I pray he doesn't (especially since next week is U.S. Thanksgiving [already!?]).

Now it's time to branch into two separate threads.

Thread the First
Next weekend I plan on staying in Rochester and making beer. Anyone is more than welcome to come learn the craft, eat some food, watch some movies, play some games, etc. But that's what I'm going to do.

Thread the Second
The rest of my family is leaving the Friday after Thanksgiving for a wedding down in Davenport, IA. I, however, will not join them. The decision becomes, "Do I stay in Podunk, MN or do I come home to the Roch?" I'm not averse to either.

Ahhso

2007-11-07T12:13:00.000-06:00

Last night was a relatively good night. I say relatively because the garbage collector (Veolia for those interested) is trying to screw me out of $76.70. I paid way-way-way back in September for yearly trash service. Unfortunately they don't believe me. Unfortunately for them I have a bank statement to prove they accepted payment.

*wrings hands with evil excitement*

Monday: Dunn Brothers - Dark Mocha Latte (awesome, as usual)
Tuesday: Starbuscks - Mocha Latte (not that good)
Wednesday: No coffee so far today
Thursday: No Coffee. :(
Friday: Kona from the Sundry Shop by the Cafeteria

I'm not as impressed with the 'bou as I once was. Their "Wild Drinks" leave chocolate/flavor sludge at the bottom of the cup. Their saving grace is regular coffee. But barely.

Tonight or tomorrow I'm going to take some time for myself and go see a movie. I want to see Dan in Real Life but I think I'll go to The Rape of Europa instead; a documentary about the pillage of Europe during WWII.

*EDIT*
For those interested in the alcoholic concoctions I create...the blueberry melomel ferments away (finally). The four day lag time scared the crap out of me but I'm happy to report the airlock is bubbling. The reason for a lag: I re-used a yeast cake from another batch of mead.

How's the "parent" mead? I added three pints of raspberries (from the farmer's market) giving the mead a b-e-a-utiful shade of red. When I went home for lunch the raspberry pulp was pushing into the carboy neck. I'm thinking I need some citrus to go with the raspberry, but what kind?

Lemon
Lime
Orange
Tangerine
Grapefruit
Ugli frui
Kumquat (hehe)
Lemon grass

What do you guys think? (I can always split the batch in half and leave some as "raspberry").

Oh, and melomel is mead (honey wine) with fruit added.

Today is a Dunn Bros. Day...

2007-11-05T10:07:00.000-06:00

...or maybe it's a Dunn Bros. Week.

Ugh.

I like to treat myself when work is hellish.

At work we're fast approaching our release date (December 21; it's announced so I can talk about it). Now, my manager's the technical bigwig for the product line (he's chief architect) and as such he gives pitches to conferences and customers telling them what's great about the new release. Usually he gives a PowerPoint and a VMWare demo. The last few weeks two co-workers and I have created the demos. What a pain.

Seventy-hour weeks, working a regular day on Saturdays (and sometimes Sunday).

Time to vent/rant. I'm stressed out, exhausted, and burnt out. The only vacation I have left is the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas eve, and the day after Christmas. I can't leave early any day this week because we have another demo due next Monday. By the time I get home at night I have just enough time to feed the dog, eat some food, and go to bed before I do it all again. If I do leave work early I need to log on from home and do some work there, too. I didn't sign on at all yesterday and now I'm paying the price. There are approximately 30 emails from my manager and one of my coworkers discussing problems, workarounds, possible fixes, broken features. Argh. I'm starting to wonder if this is what I want to do for the next few years. I haven't been to a movie in months. I rarely have time to go grocery shopping. I eat out all the time (that's what she said). I've put on the ten pounds I lost a few months ago. I like being busy but this is extreme.

We just finished creating a demo Saturday for my manager to take to Vienna. We're performing triage and answering his questions. Then we have seven days to get a new version ready for next week when he's off to give the demo to some customers in Canada and New Jersey.

We're gonna need a miracle.

And I'm gonna need some more coffee.

And I better get a hella bonus next year...or some kickass compensation time off in December.

*EDIT*
The first demo is away!
The demo my boss gave in Vienna today worked like a charm (after some hand holding late last night). Whew. That feels goooood.

I don't know if I approve of this

2007-10-31T17:16:00.000-05:00

A second "Office?" Hmm.
http://www.aintitcool.com/node/34619

Good-bye music...

2007-10-26T21:36:00.000-05:00

I finally started my server after a two month hiatus. No syncing iPod, no pictures, no nothing.

As it turns out, no nothing from now on. The hard drive that held my music and pictures died.

Almost all pictures are gone. Korea...gone. England...gone.

Sigh.

*edit*
This Just In!!!!

After fiddling with it (that's what she said) and putting it back where it originally was (that's what she said) in the server, the partitions were recognized by linux. After a brief consultation with Dorn I headed to WallyWorld to purchase a backup drive. Year 2006 is copying to the backup drive as I type. Only four more years of pictures (and other things) to go.

Here's proof!

Yes, that's Theresa's Mom (she's got it going on)
Our friend Tim with a pirate hat on (unbeknownst to him; he was asleep).
That's a big camera, Britt.
The Original Ledge at the Latern (RIP 2005)
My Buddy, Tyson.

"The First Single" - The Format

2007-10-15T19:12:00.000-05:00

Zzzz...ack-ACK-ACK: No more!

2007-10-02T09:27:00.000-05:00

In case you were wondering, that's the sound of me snoring, stop breathing, and semi-waking up. If you've been (un)fortunate enough to hear me sleep you know I'm a snorer. I've inherited this uncanny talent from both parents. In the past I've awaken with many a sore throat due to a snore-laden night, and recently I've awaken more tired than when I went to bed. Also, while I was in the boundary waters I was told I snore so loud that earplugs were required to get a good night's sleep and that I probably have sleep apnea.

So when it came time for my regular checkup I mentioned the morning/daytime tiredness, the sore throat, and incessant snoring. To which my doctor replied, that sounds like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We scheduled a sleep study to definitively determine if this is the case.

Last night was the test. I drove down to the hospital (not Mayo, if I went there I'd still be waiting to schedule the appointment) where the sleep technician hooked me up. The tech was a nice lady; she went through her spiel describing what each electrode was, why they were measuring that datum, etc...but we also talked about our dogs and homebrewing (she just bought her son a begin-to-brew kit). When we finished I looked like one of the Borg.

Next we calibrated each electrode and gathered some baseline readings. Then, lights out. They offered a sleep aid but I declined thinking, I'm tired, I'll fall asleep quickly. I was wrong. During the sleep study, they request you sleep on your back, if you can. This maximizes your chance to snore/stop breathing. I do not sleep on my back. I tried for what seemed like 30 minutes, but I just couldn't do it. I switched to my side. It's quite the hassle to turn over when you have twenty-odd wires connected to your body. But I just couldn't sleep.

After what seemed like hours of drifting in and out of sleep, the technician came in and asked me to use the restroom and come back...we were going to try the mask. CPAP works on the same principle as what keeps the Metrodome inflated; pressure pushes against your soft palate keeping your airway open so you can breathe while asleep. Lights out.

CPAP is a unique experience. Instead of working to breathe in you must exhale against air pressure. After what seemed like a few minutes I finally fell asleep.

And I slept like I haven't slept in a long time.

For the first time in months I slept without waking up in the middle of the night.

When the technician roused me to end the test she told me my sleep dramatically improved once I wore the mask. She told me the mild arrhythmia I experience lessened as well. Then she explained she waited to wake me because I was in what's called "restorative REM" sleep. When someone doesn't sleep well/doesn't stay in the deep levels of sleep (REM), and finally reaches it while using CPAP, they stay in REM for much longer periods because the body lacked the rebuilding properties that REM provides.

And you know what, that's the best night's sleep I've had in a long time. In a few days my results will come back from the sleep specialist and my physician and I will discuss the next steps. I may need a CPAP machine for the rest of my life. But with the increased risk of heart attack, adult-onset diabets, and daytime tiredness OSA causes, I'm willing to make that sacrifice.

Teehee

2007-09-25T09:58:00.001-05:00

Mmm, Apple Cider

2007-09-23T18:43:00.000-05:00

This goes out to Jess/smelly/Ike:

Remember three years ago, about this time of year, when we made hard cider at Skylight Apts? I do and I have one bottle left.

I just opened the second to last bottle to flavor my kielbasa (dirty sounding, I know). Remember how astringent and horrible it tasted? Well, like most things, it GREATLY improved with age.

I will bring the last bottle to Hobo Day.

P.S. Theresa and I are coming for Hobo Day.

P.P.S. You smell.

Why not make "10" louder?

2007-09-19T13:11:00.001-05:00

Mint-y Fresh!

2007-09-18T19:00:00.000-05:00

For the past few weeks I've been using Mint to coordinate my spending across my ING accounts and Chase credit card. It lets you itemize each purchase you make (on some form of plastic) so you can see where all your money goes. I know mine goes to rent, shopping, and restaurants.

Here's a sample summary (with amounts blurred out):

You can click on each section of the pie and drill down deeper into each category. For example, Home drills down to: Mortgage/Rent, Furnishings, and Home Improvement.

I like it a lot. For me it's a shocking visualization of where I spend my money, thus helping me conserve.

Give it a shot!

Yes!

2007-09-17T10:27:00.001-05:00

You can't spell "kegorator" without "art"

2007-09-16T17:54:00.000-05:00

Keg 2 will be Oatmeal Stout...mmmm, stout.

JFK!

2007-09-12T09:41:00.000-05:00

Check this out

Personal DNA

2007-09-05T21:43:00.000-05:00

Considerate Leader

After Rachel found her personal DNA, I decided to do the same.

A Weekend of Fun!

2007-08-27T10:47:00.000-05:00

The past four days have rocked. I'm pretty stoked to impart what's happened...

Thursday: Purchased an ice cream maker

Friday: Bought more cocktail/infusing books. Made Framboise (raspberry) ice cream. Played Dungeons & Dragons Minature game. Played Mario Strikers Charged.

Saturday: Went to the farmer's market for fresh mint, fresh lemon basil, fresh apples, fresh honey. Bought a room set at Slumberland.

(I didn't order the loveseat. Instead, I ordered the chair and ottoman).
Sunday: Read 30% of my new Dune book. Fixed my rear-view mirror. Watched Perfume: The Story of a Murderer. Moved the stereotypical 90's couch into the garage.

Today! The couch arrives sometime between 3 pm and 6 pm. I think tables are coming, too. The chair and ottoman will arrive mid-September.

100th Post and BWCA Trip!

2007-08-19T20:03:00.000-05:00

I got back from the BWCA yesterday (our trip). I've been on a few trips around the world and I think this was the greatest trip I've ever taken. One word: Amazing. Couldn't have asked for a better group of guys to adventure with (Quinn, Dan, Garlick, Matt, and Marcus).

We left Friday afternoon for Seagull Outfitters on the Gunflint Trail. We set out bright an early the next morning for Round Lake and our entry point, Missing Link. After leaving Missing Link Lake we had a huge (1.17 mile long) portage, "Tusc Portage," to Tuscarora Lake. I carried the equipment pack (70lbs) up and down rocks and through a swamp. There were times I wanted to give up and go home, but I persevered and learned about myself and what I can do if I put my mind to it.

Once in Tusc, we ventured to an island campsite only to find it was taken. Instead we made our way to the western shore to a point campsite. We stayed here through Wednesday, August 15. When the sun set on the first night we were given an impressive show as the Perseid Meteor shower started to heat up.

Sunday we started our DnD campaign. That's right, we played Dungeons & Dragons in the BWCA. Garlick created an incredible campaign in the Greyhawk realm.

Also, three of us stayed up late, spread out our camping chairs on the granite beach, and watched the Perseids put on an amazing show. We talked about life and astronomy. It got chilly but none of us wanted to leave the beach, there was too much beauty to take in.

Monday and Tuesday we played DnD, explored Tuscarora, talked about books, music, movies, politics, etc. We enjoyed singing and ad-libbing The Bloodhound Gang, Credence Clearwater Revival, "Never Gonna Give You Up", amongst others.

Wednesday morning we moved to Bat Lake. This campsite was literally a stone's throw away from an island. On that island we swam, collected water, watched the stars, etc. Also, the campsite was a five minute paddle from the 2006 Cavity Lake fire. Friday we took a morning trip to the North shore of Bat Lake to explore the fire. Later that afternoon we finished our DnD campaign. Our characters are going to take over a town and start our own adventuring guild. If/When we take this trip again next year we'll see what happens as we start our Guild.

Saturday we packed up and headed home. First stop: Dairy Queen in Grand Marais for burgers and ice cream. Second Stop: Backwoods Bar & Grill in Duluth for a beer. Third Stop: Super America in Duluth for cheese, Combos, Doritos, and Powerball tickets.

So that's the gist of the trip. Here are some pictures:

Here's the album with all the pictures I took:

BWCA 07

One more to go...

2007-08-19T15:40:00.000-05:00

...this is post 99 so I'm going to say I'm back from the BWCA. More to come.

A Well-deserved Vacation is a Terrible Thing to Waste

2007-08-10T10:05:00.000-05:00

...so I'm not going to waste it. This afternoon I leave for the great green north that is Northern Minnesota. Yep, a week of wilderness camping, canoing, fishing, swimming, DnDing, smelling, etc... the list goes on. Plus the Perseid meteor shower is Sunday night/Monday morning which will be pretty amazing.

Well, here's to camping and I'll be back next Sunday! (I'll probably look like Grizzly Adams, but I won't care).

Let hell month commence!

2007-07-24T12:41:00.000-05:00

This week:

Monday: Prepare updated image for manager (who is now in Austin, TX). Run the computer for a demo to a major research firm (I thought I was going to have a heart attack after I realized who the firm was).
Tuesday: Test new MVWare image for manager. Monty Python's Spamalot! at the Ordway in St. Paul.
Wednesday: Family arrives. Sign my leaese and begin moving.
Thursday: Take family on IBM tour. Continue moving
Friday: Yet more moving/cleaning. Manager gives demo in Denver.
Saturday: Possible brewery tours in the Cities
Sunday: BWCA/Dungeons & Dragons planning get together.

Observations on my trip to New York (so far)

2007-07-10T18:43:00.000-05:00

The men's room at O'Hare, Terminal 3, Concourse G smells like black licorice.
O'Hare likes to cancel flights due to "air traffic" and "wind" (no effect to flights as of 7/10).
Wild turkeys run rampant at IBM HQ.
New York can be just as hot and humid as Minnesota.
I have a funny accent.
Just because your cellphone was smart and changed time zones, it doesn't mean your laptop does the same.

What I learned from "Transformers" the movie

2007-07-03T23:23:00.000-05:00

General Motors == Good
All other cars == Bad
Armed forces == Good
Government == Pseudo-bad
Nokia cell phones have samurai skills (because they're from Japan [not really...they're from Finland]).
Mountain Dew is lethal
Nahnahnahnahnahnahnahnahnah Spider-Pig, Spider-Pig (ok, that's from "The Simpsons Movie" trailer, but worth it.

I'm a real employee!

2007-07-02T15:16:00.000-05:00

Yep, today I became a "regular" employee although nothing has changed. I have the same serial number (that I've had since Jan. '05), same email address (since July '06), and same job (since Feb. '07). I even have the same directory listing (since July '06), although that will changed Wednesday or Thursday.

I'm glad for the change. I no longer track hours worked (yay!), but I no longer receive overtime (boo!). Plus I'm no longer paid weekly (bi-weekly after I receive last week's paycheck). I'm super excited for vacation and am looking forward to take some time off later this week. I still need to buy fishing equipment and supplies.

*EDIT*
Well, since I'm a regular employee I decided to leave work early today. As such, I bought four pounds of cherries (for a kickin' beer), made 10 liters of ginger ale/beer, and enjoyed some pretty damn good Hoegaarden.

"Dr. Strangehump or How I Heard a Neighbors Across the Street Have Sex"

2007-06-28T22:03:00.000-05:00

I feel embarrassed for her.

While taking dogger out for his nightly poop, I heard a strange noise emanate from across the street. At first I thought someone had their washing machine on with their windows open.

Boy, was I mistaken.

As I encouraged Tyson to evacuate his bowels, the noise got louder and louder. I thought I could discern a human voice. I did.

It was my older (mid-forties) neighbor across the street doing the vertical mambo on a squeeky bed. At first I was frightened, but then I felt embarrassed for her, having left every window in her townhouse open.

Man, I got a good chuckle out of that humdinger (heh heh...humdinger).

Tonight is the night that I...

2007-06-20T16:56:00.000-05:00

...clean out my keg! And sanitize some bottles!! And fill the bottles!!! And the keg!!!! With BEER!!!!!

That was fun :-)

But first I must procure some rubber bands from the workplace. I need to MacGuyver a way to separate 2ozs of hops from the beer.

Edit:

I decided to wait until tomorrow (at the earliest). When I cracked open the keg it gave off the wonderful (not really) odor of autolyzed yeast. Basically it means what yeast was in the keg went cannibal and started eating its fellow yeasties. I'm going to let it sit overnight to deodorize. Also, leaving the beer line (the part that connects the keg to the tap) uncleaned since the keg was last used in December/January means a very dirty beer line. Duh. I'll let that soak in some potassium hydroxide to get rid of the skankiness.

Oh, and I should probably lube up the o-rings. That sounds dirtier than it is. On second thought...no, it's not.

Time to get my Freakazoid! on.

Sunday is Wii-day!

2007-06-10T13:32:00.000-05:00

That's right, I got a Wii. It rocks...hard. That is all.

12th Annual Midwestern Lumberjack Championships...

2007-06-05T09:29:00.001-05:00

Will be in Rochester Saturday, June 16. Gates open at 10a.m. and competition starts at noon. Eight dollar entrance fee (for those adults out there). Who wants to go?

I did this one, too!

2007-05-22T19:40:00.000-05:00

I made it myself

2007-05-21T22:42:00.001-05:00

Empty Soju bottles. Taken in South Korea.
Cool, huh?

Beer!

2007-05-16T13:06:00.000-05:00

Since this is my first weekend in a long while where I'm not traveling all over God's creation I've decided I'm making beer... Saturday AND Sunday!

I've been in a brewing drought. Last batch brewed: December. Yikes.

As you may or may not not, a new hobby developed in the meanwhile: infusing spirits. So far I've made kiwi vodka and am in the process of making triple-berry rum (of the black, rasp, and straw varieties) and raspberry gin. I think green tea something (rum? vodka? what do you think?) and rose pedal rum will be next. (For the right price, I can make anyone something)

But back to beer.

First, a historical style: Kellerbier. I'm sick of making wheat beers so this will replace it for the season. This brew will be straight to keg and straight into the fridge.

Second, an American barleywine. There's a metric shit ton of hops going into this brew. Cascade for aroma, bittering, and dry hopping (I've never dry hopped before, so here goes nothing). I'll bottle this bad boy and age it until Winter 2007.

Maybe I'll give mead another try, too....

It's that time of the year...

2007-05-10T16:05:00.000-05:00

and I don't mean baseball season. It's moving time!

Well, it's not really moving time but it's time to start looking (damn two month warning period). By the end of the month I need to know where I'm living for the next 12 months.

Now, being a pet owner severely limits my options. Specifically, being a dog owner severely limits my options. In Rochester, there are three places I was considering: The Village at Essex, Quarry Ridge, and GrandeVille at Cascade Lake.

After talking with a friend about her experience at "The Village" (of the Damned) I realized that it's not a place I want to live. Turns out they also offer Section 8 housing at their property. That means one of her friends woke up to an arm coming through a cut in a screen window. No way will I live there.

Yesterday I cut out a bit early and went to Quarry Ridge. I learned there's one one bedroom available, a handicap unit. I looked at the place and for the price it isn't worth it. Sure there's underground parking and a pool, but still, it's a small overpriced apartment.

Which brings us to today and GrandeVille. Think townhouse meets apartment. I'm really digging "The Aspen" on first floor. Right now I have a two bedroom townhouse, and I hardly ever use my second bedroom. It sits empty as an office and a greenhouse for my pepper and rosemary, respectively. The particular unit I was shown is two doors down from the lake (sweet!) and in the back of the development. Nice and quiet.

Amenities: Pool with cabana (think grill, fridge, sink, prep area), exercise equipment, tanning, sauna, clubhouse, personal garage and private entrance. Oh and the unit I was shown had a fireplace.

Price: It's more than what I pay now, but I'll be paying less in utilities.

Other: It's in Rochester and not PI. It's close to a kick-ass sledding hill and a produce market (yes, they belong in the same sentence). The daily commute will be 10 minutes instead of 25. Oh, and they like pets.

So, yeah. I really like this place. What do you guys think?

That was fun...

2007-04-26T18:51:00.000-05:00

So today after I dropped my car off at the dealer for an oil change something red caught my eye. I thought it had a familiar body style, but since it was a Honda dealership I ignored it.

When the dealership picked my up at three I had a better look at the red car.

That's right a 2005 MINI Cooper S. Six-speed transmission, GPS/Computer, CD, sunroof, leather heated seats. The whole caboodle.

After I picked up my car, I decided (on a whim) to stop at the Honda dealership to take a look. As I looked, a crafty car salesman wander over and told me about the car. Then he asked, "Do you want to take it for a test drive?"

Image my consternation. I've never driven a stick in my life. When I told the salesman this, he replied, "Do you want to learn?"

A jerky start later we were off on a drive around NW Rochester. This is a hella fun car to drive. I killed it only once (at a stop light), otherwise I was jetting around with the 198hp this MINI has to offer. Tight and responsive, a welcome change from the Pontiac Grand Prix.

When we got back to the dealership I asked the damage: $23,550. I don't think this car is in my future, but maybe one of it's other Oxford-born twins will be.

Cool wHip

2007-04-23T19:27:00.000-05:00

Curling

2007-03-30T11:33:00.000-05:00

I thought I would pass along this nugget of information:

This is a reminder that the Dakota Curling Club has an Open Ice session scheduled for this Sunday, April 1st, from 1:30 to 3:30. If you are new to the game, come give it a try!

Members may practice or makeup games at no charge. Guests will be charged $10 per person. Club members will be on hand to work with guests who come to check out the game.

We play at the Burnsville Ice Center at 251 Civic Center Parkway in Burnsville. See you on the ice!

Let me know if you're interested and we'll plan something. I will be there fo'sho.

So there we were...

2007-03-05T15:19:00.000-06:00

standing in the pasta line at Cossetta in St. Paul after a disappointing Swarm loss, when I told T of my master curling plan.

You see, as a member of the Dakota Curling Club I can register for bonspiels (tournament for those curling noobs) at clubs around Minnesota. As a mater of fact, the St. Paul Curling Club (on fantastic Selby Ave. next to the glorious Happy Gnome) is hosting just such an occasion April 13-15. Those of you in the Cities should stop by one, or all, of these days to see us in action. Granted, I think we have a total of -0.5 years experience in curling, but really, who gives a damn?

Curling and Ages

2007-02-25T16:54:00.000-06:00

Tuesday is the Social/Skip's Meeting for the Dakota Curling Club's spring league. Now, when I first registered/paid member dues, I was going to play in the Single's Learning to Curl league. A few weeks later the club lost it's clubhouse and postponed all leagues until after hokey season finished so we could return to the Burnsville Ice Center.

In preparation for season's start I learned that the single's league consisted of four people: two males and two females. That's it. So the club canceled/merged the single's league into Instruction League II, and made the four of us into a rink (team). Now here's the cool part: What's the team's name? That's right, it's Team Claussen.

As time went on someone on the team decided to send an email giving some information about who they are, their skill level, etc. Before I go any further, remember, this was supposed to be a singles league and I'm 23 years old.

Here's her email:

Fellow curlers,

I wanted to introduce myself as I am on your team for the upcoming league. I am the Lower School Principal at St. Paul Academy having just moved to Minnesota in July after having lived the last 2o years overseas, the last 8 in Spain.
...

Hmm, 20 years overseas and a principal. Probably way out of my age range. Not exactly what I'm looking for.

Oh well. It's curling and will be fun. Oh, and there are still lots of open spots in the instruction leagues if anyone is interested. For $150 you get a club membership, a Learn to Curl class, six curling sessions, and a name pin! Wooo! Do you have anything better to do Sunday afternoons?

Harold Crick

2007-02-25T00:54:00.000-06:00

I just finished "Stranger than Fiction."

Wow.

This is the best movie I've seen in a long time. Better than "Children of Men." You can't help but be drawn in by the many different stories taking place concurrently throughout the movie; stringing them together into a coherent whole. The characters are so vivid that you actually care what happens to each of them as the movie progresses.

When the movie comes out on Tuesday, I will buy it and I suggest you do the same.

New name for Tyson

2007-02-23T11:07:00.001-06:00

Poopy McPoop-Maker...his mom wanted to keep her maiden name.

It's just like...it's just like...

2007-02-13T18:48:00.000-06:00

Be on the lookout...

2007-02-09T10:50:00.000-06:00

Number One on our Threat Down is KP. Beware!