31 January, 2010

The Great Bunko Sub

Susan has been hot on the phones trying to find a sub for her bunko
night, since she won't be ready to go by Tuesday. Sounds like success
was just acheived!

Lifetime Movie Sunday

How do we spend a Sunday at the Hartman's? Hot cup of Java and a
Lifetime mini series movie called "Maneater."

30 January, 2010

Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout

Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout

22oz.

9.26% alc.

A lovely stout, with a hint of coffee. Like Sean said last week, this is a great stout on its own, and the coffee doesn't overpower it. It is rather strong though, with a very warm alcohol body. I drank this over two nights, as I was working on the tile floor and didn't want to get fuzzy in the head. Bless you little wine bottle stoppers for fitting perfectly in 22oz. bottles.

C'

Mississippi Mud Black and Tan

Mississippi Mud Black and Tan

1 Quart Jug

no alc. given

Another beer from Susan's Mom, and I've been looking for to this one. It is a slow brewed combo of a porter and a pilsner, and the end result is very smooth. There isn't a great deal of nose, but it was nice and clingy on the glass. The body is rich and malty, and did I say smooth? I didn't intend to drink the entire jug tonight, but since I'm enjoying it so much, I think I will!

C'

24hrs of Daytona

We've been lounging on the couch most of the day, watching the 24hrs of Daytona.


Scott Pruett says "Hi to my family"

I got out of bed this morning and went grocery shopping. Luckily it didn't take much time, and I got back to some fresh brewed coffee and pancakes. Susan is able to get on and off the couch on her own, so she's been helping a bit in the kitchen which is great.

I've also been installing the baseboard molding in the bathroom, and finishing the plumbing under the sink. I appear to have a working toilet and sink. Hooray. I've also sprayed on the grout sealer too, so the floor is pretty much done.

And now we're just chilling on the couch after bowls of chicken noodle soup. Mmmmm.

C'

29 January, 2010

Blogging About Food

Since Susan is still down and out, and I've been doing the kitchen duties, it is my turn to blog about food. Pam brought over a wonderful home made lasagna the other night, that will provide us with four full meals worth of chow. We had it for dinner last night, along with some sauteed veggies I threw together, and garlic bread. It was yummy.



Today, I ventured out of my office and hit the road first thing. I visited a system down south about an hour, that was preparing for a startup. I supplied a good deal of engineering resource and product for this job, so I like to be part of the startup to answer any questions, and snap pics. This was a large Recirculating Gravel Filter followed by a wetland pond. Denitrification was the overriding concern, so assuming the maintenance staff is given good operating instructions, this system should work wonderfully.

The Sand Filter is on the left and center, the wetlands area is to the right, and wraps back around the back of the sand filter:


The wetland, with big ol bag of woodchips to jump start denitrification:


One of three massive storage ponds running along the frontage road, and the facility that makes all the p00p in the background:


Food and p00p. You're welcome.

C'

26 January, 2010

Vanity Is In

I managed to get the new vanity installed tonight. A simple white
cabinet with a marble top/bowl combo. I used the bronze faucet a
friend had given us last year. I even got the feed lines and drain/
trap thingy plumbed too.

Nor Cal For Life

Sweet Nor Cal jacket bro.

25 January, 2010

Anderson Valley High Rollers Wheat Beer

Anderson Valley High Rollers Wheat Beer
22oz.
No alc given

A top notch wheat that I gobbled up during a viewing of The Onion
Movie with the recovering grimace face (Susan.). Nice and mellow with
a very clean and crisp feel and taste.

C'

24 January, 2010

Dead battery

I apparently left the lights on Tango all night, so I find myself
stranded at OSH with a dead battery. Funny how it had enough juice to
start at home...

It's Agrout Time

The grout is in! Just need to wipe off the haze in a couple hours,
then I can get busy with some trim.

El Sicko

Nothing like some soup to get the patient smiling.

23 January, 2010

Hemp Ale Natural Brown Ale

Hemp Ale Natural Brown Ale
12oz
5.7pct

Brown Ales aren't my favorite, but this one is great. Very well
balanced with a mellow nutty body, I drank this right up. A great
Saturday treat.

Tile Is Down

After breakfast with the sicko, I managed to get busy in the bathroom
and laid the tile. My first time doing this, so it was fun and nerve
racking at the same time.

22 January, 2010

Sierra Nevada Glissade

Sierra Nevada Glissade
12oz
6.4pct alc

A new offering from local brewery Sierra Nevada. Dubbed as a Golden
Bock brewed with European hops, this offering is very tasty. It is
very well balanced and smooth with a subtle taste of malts and hops
throughout and a clean finish. A great compliment to the Mexican food
fest we were treated to by Susan's friend Joanna. And since that means
less dishes for me, I approve!

Susan recovering

I don't think she talked on the phone this much all last year...

21 January, 2010

Flying Dog Double Dog Pale Ale

Flying Dog Double Pale Ale
12oz.
11.5 alc

I cracked open this beast last night, after getting Susan into
naptime. This was a great beer with a wonderfully strong hoppy front
end and a well balanced but strong malty middle and of course a strong
boozy finish. Strong but very good!

20 January, 2010

Home after surgery

Susan got home after surgery around 2pm today. I got her tanked up on meds, fed her the Vanilla Frosty she had been craving, and tucked her in for a long nap.

It is now 5:30, and she's managed to eat some soup. I too am enjoying some soup, to go with the super lousy weather we had today. For those out of towners reading this, we had 55mph winds, and driving rain pretty much all morning. It eased up for about an hour after lunch, just in time for Susan to hobble from the car to the house.

I'm going to keep her on the couch tonight, since she has managed to sleep so well. Meanwhile, I've started my attack on the master bathroom. Can I manage to keep Susan well cared for and remodel the master bath during the next four days? We will see.

Obviously Susan comes first. Unless I'm in the middle of laying new tile. Just kidding Mom!

C'

18 January, 2010

Allagash Brewing White

Allagash Brewing White

12oz.

no alc. given

Labelled as a traditional Belgian wheat, I found the White to be very refreshing and crisp. It is very light, both in taste and color, yet it has that distinctive Belgian wheat flavor, of sourness and spice. I tend to thoroughly dislike Bavarian Heffs, and with fairly similar taste and feel, I'm surprised how much I enjoyed this milder offering.

C'

17 January, 2010

Primo Island Lager

Primo Island Lager

12oz.

no alc. given

I was pleasantly surprised by this light Lager, mostly because I tend to like fruity and sweet things like my friend Sean. The label says this is made with pure island cane, which leaves a nice mellow honey-like sweetness on the back end. Besides the sweetness, this offers a nice light body that is very well balanced.

C'

Rogue American Amber Ale

Rogue American Amber Ale

12oz.

no alc. given

A very robust, hoppy, Amber Ale from Newport Oregon. I'm surprised by this one, because of how much hoppy bitterness it has. It is never overpowering, yet the bitterness comes through quite strongly from aroma to finish. Maybe I'm just an Amber noob, and this is normal? Overall, I'm enjoying it.

C'

16 January, 2010

Homemade Shelves

I got a bug up my ass this morning, and decided to build some shelves for the spare room. A place to put a few picture frames, some trophies, and a few more beer bottles. Just what every spare bedroom needs!

Gluing and screwing things together:

The finished products, after painting and mounting:



C'

Lagunitas Brewing Zappa Lumpy Gravy

Lagunitas Brewing Zappa Lumpy Gravy

22oz.

7.2%



Another awesome beer from Lagunitas, celebrating the work of Frank Zappa. Luckily, I like this beer more than I liked Zappa music. A very well balanced and strong Ale. Great head and carbonation, with good cling. Not much nose, other than malt and alcohol. A fantastic balance of hops, malt, and alcohol notes, made this a great sipping brew during my shelf building.

C'

15 January, 2010

Big Sky Brewing Scape Goat Pale Ale

Big Sky Brewing Scape Goat Pale Ale

16oz.

no alc. given


This was an interesting product, offered in a spun aluminum bottle. And the brew inside it was equally interesting. A wonderfully hoppy nose with a fair amount of carbonation, this Pale Ale is extremely strong, yet very well balanced. Strong as in, there is a hint of alcohol on the back end, but it isn't overly powerful. Just a nice warm feeling. And the very strong nose of hops sticks with it through the middle, tapering on the finish, with no back end bitterness. So basically, I loved it. I love good hoppy pale without the bite at the end.


Well done Big Sky!

C'


14 January, 2010

Captain Rally

While Susan is off singing with Jesus, I got my rally on. Notice the fierce concentration, proper safety gear, and a brewski.

Blue Heron Pale Ale

Blue Heron Pale Ale

12oz

6.1% alc.



I was a bit disappointed with the Blue Heron offering. It was incredibly bland. No real nose, and if hops were used during the brewing, I couldn't tell. It wasn't bad, and I drank it all, but it wasn't good. Just meh.

C'

Green Flash Brewing West Coast IPA

Green Flash Brewing West Coast IPA

12oz.

7.3% alc.

Now we're talking. A nice IPA with a full robust hoppy nose and body. Very well balanced, and not too biting, the hops have great staying power through the finish. I enjoyed this with some Mexican cheese while I put together our Mexican feast of tamales, beans, and rice. Mmmmm.

C'

13 January, 2010

Package of Awesome

A package of Awesomeness arrived today courtesy George The Fierce (Jason), a friend and fellow racer from Mass-a-two-shits. Since he has upgraded to an Xbox, he sent me all his old PS2 games, and racing steering wheel controller.

Everything from Drag, to NASCAR, to TOCA, to Rally. Mmmmm.


In trade, I'll be making GTF a set of camber arms for his circle track racing Infiniti G20, named Tom. Hence the funny looking suspension pieces at the bottom of the photo.


Honey: I'll see you sometime next week after I get through Colin Mcrae Rally.


C'

Dear Soccer Goalie Gloves

You were lost, but now you are found. Don't ever leave me again.

12 January, 2010

Garage Cleaning

Finally getting the garage organized and cleaned.

C'

Red Horse Malt Liquor

Red Horse Malt Liquor
12oz.
7% alc.

With Susan off to old lady Bunko, I decided to celebrate tonight. With some Malt Liquor.

Can I just say that in no way is this even remotely good, however, I love it. From the start, I knew this would be something special. It has a very fizzy quality about it, almost like double sparkle after pouring it. Even 15 minutes later, it is just fizzing and bubbling away.

The aroma is quite unusual. It is somewhat flowery, with some fun sour notes, and a certain "ripeness" about it. After taking in a generous mouthful, I was immediately taken with the crisp fizzyness of it. I was afraid if I let it move around for too long i would be missing some tissue, so I prayed, and then swallowed.

The first very brief moment everything in the world was right. Then came along the real meat and potatoes, and everything was buried under a massively overriding taste of alcohol. But in some ways, this alcohol taste is much more manageable than in an overly strong, not-well balanced pale ale. No bitterness at all. Instead that initial sourness returns.

And then you hear the extreme fizzing in the glass as the sweet malt liquor returns to the bottom.

So, in conclusion: Horrible. Yet I enjoyed every single sip. And I wish I had more.

C'

Mobile posting test, 1, 2, 3?

REGISTER


Speaking of Fiat 500s...

The 500 Abarth was shown at the Detroit Autoshow today, both in an EV and Abarth trim level. Actually, the Abarth SS, which is the hottest of the 500 variations. And while a 130hp Abarth would be just dandy, the 170hp SS would be dandier.

Make mine Silver or Charcoal please:





Mmm, Brembos

I could see Susan commuting in a 500 Abarth. Right honey?

C'

11 January, 2010

Grand Teton Brewing Sweetgrass IPA

Grand Teton Brewing Sweetgrass IPA
12oz.
6.5% alc.



This is the second time I've enjoyed the Sweetgrass, and enjoy it I did. This a very hoppy IPA that is consistently biting all the way through. No rough patches of bitterness anywhere. Perhaps it is the bottle conditioning, or perhaps this bottle has been on the shelf for a while, either way there was a tremendous amount of sediment in the bottom of the glass. Which surprisingly made it mellow out even more toward the end.

This went very well with our impromptu plate of nacho flats. Mmmm, ground beef, olives, and liquid cheese slathered over yummy salty scoop chips.



C'

Speakeasy White Lightening

Speakeasy White Lightening
12oz.
5.2% alc.



A very nice American Wheat Beer, that says it is brewed with coriander seed and curacoa orange peel. I can't particularly taste either of those, however, I thoroughly enjoyed this brew. After a couple nights of stronger blueberry flavors, itwas nice to enjoy a nice, simple, clean beer. Very well balanced, this wasa great choice from aroma through the light body, to the simple finish.

It went brilliantly with the Lemon and Mint Shrimp Orzo.

C'

Honda CRZ Production Car

Honda unveiled the CRZ at the North American International Auto Show today. For those that care (only Sean) the CRZ was intended to be a small 2-seater modern CRX type creation, with a hybrid powertrain. The show car from a few years ago was actually quite nice looking. Well, look what they managed to turn it into:


122hp and it is pushing 2700 pounds. Uh, really?

C'

09 January, 2010

Marin Brewing Company Blueberry Ale

Marin Brewing Company Blueberry Ale
22oz.
5% alc.



After last nights blueberry flavored lager, I got a little scared when I saw tonight's brew was also blueberry flavored. But this time it was an Ale, and was very good. Much lighter in appearance and aroma, I could tell I would enjoy this with my snack pack of chips and salsa. I managed to down the entire bottle tonight, and really enjoyed it. Just a nice light bodied ale, with a hint of blueberry throughout.

C'

08 January, 2010

Blue Dawg Brewing Wild Blue Blueberry Lager

Blue Dawg Brewing Wild Blue Blueberry Lager
12oz.
8% alc.



I had high hopes of the Wild Blue, since I love me some fruity beers. It poured out fantastic, with a real blue/purple hue to it. Great foamy head with lots of cling. And the aroma was equally strong, with greats blueberry notes. Then I took my first sip, and almost didn't get it down. Not much in the way of blueberry taste, since the overall experience is more of a very strong alcohol note. I kept trying it until it literally made me put it down in shock. I simply didn't like this one, and couldn't finish it. It just had an overly strong, unbalanced taste, without much of the fruity presence suggested by the name, color, or smell. Of course Susan didn't mind it, just like she didn't mind the Midas Touch. Ha!

C'

06 January, 2010

Shmaltz Brewing Company Monumental Jewbelation

Shmaltz Brewing Company Monumental Jewbelation
22oz.
10% alc.



Labeled as a "10th Anniversary Ale brewed with 10 malts and 10 hops" the Jewbelation is downright heavenly. It has a super clingy, meaty head after I poured it a tad too fast. The aroma is very well balanced, considering the 10% alcohol content. As is the body, which maintains a great smoothness throughout. An absolutely great deep, dark, thick, smooth, enjoyable brew.

Oh, and in case you're wondering, this alone has proven better than any of the cough medicine I've been chugging down today.

Yet again, well done Shmaltz!

C'

03 January, 2010

Joe and Holes

What was awaiting me this morning when I woke up?



That's right, a cup of Joe and a bag of donut holes. Mmmmmmmmmm.

C'

Woodchuck Pear Draft Cider

Woodchuck Pear Draft Cider
12oz.
4% alc.



Another outstanding cider from Woodchuck. The Pear this time, which is wonderfully crisp and tart. I enjoyed it with a Mediterranean Mahi Mahi and Caesar Salad. Awesome combination.

C'

01 January, 2010

New Year

Happy New Years! We were lucky enough to spend the evening at a wedding, with a nice New Years party afterwards. A friend of Susan was the bride, and she married the owner of a local restaurant/bar. So of course the food was excellent, as was the open bar. I'm still a tad foggy, so I'll let the photos do the talking.

Before:


During:


After:


More After:


Even More After:


The Grub. A plate of seared and pepper Tuna and prime rib:


Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale. This was followed up with a Crystal Wheat, Pale Ale, and a couple Bluemoons. And some tequilla. And some champagne.



C'