Rondel Brut Cava

Do you like Champagne, but don't have $30 a bottle to burn?  Do you find Asti a little too sweet?  Have you enjoyed a nice Prosecco, but your retailer is out of Processco, and you see this Champagne shaped bottle labeled "Cava" but are not so sure if you'll like it?

Buy it!

Cavas are great.  They're similar to Proseccos (though the Italians would SCOFF at that statement), not as sweet as a Asti, and about 1/8th the price of a entry level Champagne - a TRUE Champagne from the Champagne region of France, not a California bubbly, made of similar grapes as Champagne might be made, and in a similar style, but then jacked up in price just for the name "Champagne" which has falsely been put on the label.

Yes, I like Champagne too, and at major anniversaries, weddings, celebrating new jobs or massive promotions, births of children or grand children, a bottle of Champagne is warranted (in my book) and can be afforded (in my bank account).  But for every day drinking, Cavas and Proseccos are preferable and affordable.  The Rondel Brut Cava was delightful at $5 a bottle form Trader Joe's.  It was consistent with other Cavas I have had, and it did not disappoint.   I recommend it for every-day drinking, especially in the summer time.

Vina Alarde Tempranillo

Vina Alarde Tempranillo 2011, 134th Cosecha De La Familia, Bodegueros Desde 1877 (since 1877) Berberana.  This Total Wine selection was one that they were offering at a "tasting" at the Laguna Hills Total Wine.  But aggravatingly, due to some arcane Californian rule, they can't "give away" the tasting, so you're required to "pay 10 cents".  I didn't have a dime on me, and I didn't want to pay a whole dollar for a wine that maybe I didn't like.

So I picked up the bottle, and saw it was a "Rioja" D.O.C. ... as I understand it, that means it is 'at least ok'.   It's not the best, nor is it the 'minimally worse' that a Spanish wine maker could produce.   Bottled for Bodegas Berberana S.A. by United Wineries.  Asked how much it was?  $8 - ok, worth a gamble.  It was fine.  I enjoyed it, even without the previous tasting.  The tasting hostess was "put off" slightly that I didn't want to "donate" a dollar... but I was in a hurry anyways, and it was a warm and humid day here when I bought it.  I really didn't need a bunch of red wine in my system on the 20 minute drive home - I was at the store to get Canton Ginger liqueur for Dr Desert Flower, and the Rioja was just a 'convenience buy".

Black Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon Californian Fat Cat

Last month, I was on a wine buy spree at Trader Joe'
s, and bought a bunch of wines that I'd never tried before.  I wanted to see if they were any good, since each one was < < $10 a bottle (most were five or six dollars).  At the end of an aisle, Trader Joe's had this "Fat Cat" Cabernet that looked appealing.  I try to avoid "end of the aisle" stands, as they are often excess inventory, where the retailer bought way too much, and they are trying to 'dump' it at a discounted price.  But being a Californian now, I also wanted to try and patronize affordable, drinkable, local Californian wines, so I took a chance.


Black Mountain Cabernet did not disappoint.  It had a smooth, silky finish, and was very enjoyable.  The back label says it is from both Sonoma and Napa - it also says it was plum, anise, black cherry, and vanilla.  I detected a slight hint of vanilla and berries....  but the other descriptors on the tasting wheel I could not differentiate.  It was fine, and at $6 a bottle, it was a successful experiment from wine maker Bob Stashak.

Abancay Crianza Mascara Del Sol

Abancay Crianza 2009 Tempranillo-Merlot Mascara Del Sol is a nice, light, Spanish blend from Trader Joe's.  For $5 a bottle, it was wonderful.  I had it with Pollo Asada and it was refreshing and crisp.  The Picasso-like label is not something I typically go for, but Trader Joe's had it priced right, so I tried it.  I was not disappointed.

It is an Arinena Demominacion de Origin.  13.5% alcohol by volume.  It's worth a try if you're going to have spicy food and want a nice inexpensive red wine to go with it.

3-2,4-3, 7 or bare

Before I moved to California, I had NO IDEA about wet suits.  South Carolina is warmed by the gulf stream, and hence, I never needed one.   The Pacific is DEEP and COLD.  The slope of the Pacific, offshore, is steep, and cold water comes up to shore, readily.  There is no warm "Gulf Stream" that donates its endothermic enthalpy to the California coast.  It's chilly, and that's how thermodynamics meant it to be.

 So after I waded shin deep into the Pacific at Dana Point in 2012, and my feet became numb, I sought out wet suits.  I called my cousin Mike, who LIVES in Phoenix, but who surfs in San Diego (since Phoenix has NO Ocean).  My cousin, like me, grew up near Chicago, and shares not just some genetics, but also the proclivity for warm water.  He recommended O'Neill wet suits, since (in his words) "O'Neill invented the wet suit over 50 years ago, and keeps improving it".

I looked online, and decided upon an "O'Neill Mutant" suit as my target purchase.  It looked warm enough, flexible enough, and reasonably priced.  Killer Dana, the very personable and very helpful surf shop in Dana Point that had rented surf board and wet suit to my progeny over Christmas at a very reasonable price did NOT have the Mutant suit, but they DID have the Psycho suit, and it fit very well.   I also tried on an O'Neill "Heat" suit made of 5 or 6 year old technology, and it was VERY difficult to get my broad shoulders into, or to zip up.   The Killer Dana Staff told me that the Heat suit was being phased out and used older technology.  The Psycho suit was nearly twice as expensive as the Heat, but Killer Dana had a 30% off sale for "winter suits", so that made it reasonably priced - and the Killer Dana staff were very helpful, informative, and customer-centric.   It was a pleasure shopping there.  It is a 3-2 suit, ideal for California cold water.  A 4-3 suit is for REALLY cold water, and a "7 mil" suit is for ice diving and arctic scuba.  The 7 mil suit is SO THICK, that when your arms are bent, it cuts off the circulation below your elbows.  3-2 for CA water.   4-3 for really really cold water.   7 mil (with a hoodie) if you are going to be a polar bear.

So I bought my new XXL Psycho 3-2 suit, and I was determined to go 'down to the shore' to begin snorkeling, body boarding, and enjoying the vast Pacific Ocean.  The Very Next Day, I head down to Strand Beach at Dana Point, with mask and snorkel and fins.   I get to the beach, and the Strand Beach lifeguard says to be "dude, you're not going to need that suit today" as I squeeze my arms into the suit.  "What's the water temp?" I ask him.
"68 or 69"
"I will need to suit, that is barely Lake Michigan in August, and certainly not South Carolina gulf temperatures".
I head out into the surf.. swim 200 yards off shore.. and see NOTHING but sand.  The 3-2 Psycho suit IS warm, that is for sure...  but all I can see is a sand blizzard, and my arms and legs are stuck in kelp, so I turn around, and head back to shore.  Day one, failure.

4 days elapse as I work, and pine for the surf again.  Then Friday afternoon, I head down with Body Glove Body Board, and 3-2 wet suit, back to DP Strand Beach before the 4th of July holiday week.   I notice I am one of about 5% of swimmers in a wet suit.  Body Boarding is A BLAST!   I have great fun for 2 hours, and accidentally ingest about 2 litres of sea water in the process.   I tell Dr Desert Flower about it, and we plan to go the beach the week of July 4th, when it is "warmer".  Then July 2nd, the ambient is almost 80F, the water temp still a chilly 69F...  and we head to the beach, me in my 3-2 Psycho suit, her in her bikini.  Again, I am one of 5 or 10% of swimmers in wet suits.

Intrepid DDF ventures out into the water without a wet suit, and doesn't freeze her butt off.  I feel somewhat silly in my very warm suit, and strip down out of it, to swim shorts after about an hour.  I find the surf Chilly, but refreshing...  not "teeth chattering"...  so I stay out body boarding with my lovely wife.  DDF is a natural body boarder, very bouyant...  riding waves nearly to shore, while her much heavier husband grounds out beaching himself many yards from the edge of the water.  It was great fun, even without the wet suit.

So I have rinsed out my wet suit, and let it dry for 2 days in the guest bed room - using "the coldest water possible".  Killer Dana sales personnel warned "never leave the wet suit in direct sunlight to dry" - yes, yes, the UV will get it (and they looked at me with a knowing nod of approval).   Never put it in the washer or drier.  Never use chemicals on it to clean it.  If it starts to smell "funky" they have a wet suit "shampoo" they can see you to clean it...  but with proper rinsing after each use, the funk should be avoided.  After Labor Day, l will get it back out again, and wear it through the winter at the beach, but for now, I will Body Board in just swim shorts and sun block (including putting the sun block in my hair to protect my scalp).

Come to visit us in Southern CA, and I will show you how much fun you can have body boarding in the surf....   it's as much fun as it looks, and more!  =)

Révélation

Révélation Cabernet-Merlot, Pays D'Oc, (Negotients) Badet, Clement & Co is a pretty good, in-expensive, Trader Joe's French red that is worth drinking.   At under $8 a bottle, we enjoyed it with a nice steak.  55% cab, 45% merlot, imported by Trader Joe's Latitude wines, we enjoyed it.

You should try it too.  Not bad at all.

Badet & Clement are showing me that Negotiant wines don't have to be low quality, soulless, cut-throat yuck...  they an be enjoyable, delicious, full bodied and wonderful wines at reasonable prices.  (photos are from my MacBook Air's camera....  if you don't like the quality, complain to Steve Job's ghost).

Château Vaissiere 2011 Minervois

I was delighted to see a new Minervois at Trader Joe's, Château Vaissiere 2011.  It was less than $9 a bottle, sported a colorful label (which often would dissuade me), but it was a true Appelation d'Origine Controlee.  The French system of quality control did not let me know.  Château Vaissiere 2011 was refreshing, and akin to Château Landure and other fine Minervois.  It is bottled by another negotiant, Olivier Mandeville, but it does not suffer from any lapse in quality.

Imported by Lattitude Wines, Danville CA for Trader Joes, this is highly recommended.

Château Mayne Guyon Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2010

Château Mayne Guyon Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2010 is another fine, affordable, Trader Joe's red wine.  Less than $9 a bottle, consistent quality, delicious, drinkable, under-appreciated, well recommended.  Yes, it is bottled by a negotiant, and sometimes that can make a slightly "lesser wine", but not this time.  I enjoyed it.  You can too.

Chabanneau Cognac V.S.

Chabanneau Cognac V.S., I stumbled upon this gem at Total Wine in Laguna Hills, where they were selling it for just $18 a bottle.  Eighteen dollars a bottle, for actual cognac!  Yes!  Sure, it is not XO (which I often fine offensively overwhelming to my nose), nor is it VSOP (as most cognacs are), but it is fine.  Imported by Cil Amerique - Manhasset NY.

I try to keep a bottle on-hand and handy for a digestif after dinner from time to time.  At one or two dollars a glass, and no hang-over whatsoever (since is it Cognac) it is wonderful.

Château du Buisson 2009

Château du Buisson 2009 is only $5 at Trader Joe's.  It's very drinkable, affordable, and great quality.  I've had 3 bottles in the last 3 months, and it is great.  "Vinifie en propriety par nos oenologies" par Ginestet (a negotiant) - but I won't hold that against it.  I like it.  And I will continue to enjoy it.  Next time you are at Trader Joe's, you can look for it too.

La Finca Malbec

La Finca Malbec, oak aged from Mendoza Argentina, is not a bad wine.  A whole $6 from Trader Joe's, it was very drinkable and paired well with the pollo asada I grilled several weeks ago.  One could do much worse.  Pretty good for a young 2012 vintage.  It won't be my last bottle.

Futile Snorkeling Attempt

Trying to snorkel at Dana Point's Strand Beach and see aquatic wildlife is about as effective as trying to look for wildlife during a blinding NW Indiana Region "Lake Effect" snow storm while wearing glasses and no hat, where you can't see more than 2 feet in front of you and the falling snow keeps collecting on your glasses.

I bought an O'Neill Psycho 3/2 wet suit on Sunday morning.  It fits great, feels great, and I wanted to try it out.  So I headed down to the beach on Monday, snorkel & mask in hand, electronic car key in a double plastic bag to keep it dry inside my suit, and sun screen massaged into my scalp.  I was enthusiastic, and naive.  

Once I got down to the beach, I finished zipping up my suit, with a early-20-something life guard
saying "dude, you're not gonna need that wetsuit today".
"The water temp is 68F".
"Yeah man, that's warm."
"No, there's no gulf stream here, 68F is cold. I would not swim in Phoenix unless it was over 73 or 74F"
So I waded into the surf, put on my booties and flippers, secured my mask, and dove through several waves, determined to explore the kelp beds.  200 yards out beyond the surf, I still could not see my hand when it was fully extended under water.  There was far too much roiling sand stirred up by the waves.  I didn't know I was in a kelp bed until I felt it wrapping around my arms.  The water's surface was undulating 2 to 3 feet up and down, often swamping my snorkel's check valve.  Now, if one is looking at the bottom of the ocean, and focusing on fish and rocks and vegetation that are visible, it provides a certain serenity that can compensate for the sudden CUT OFF in air supply.  But, if all you can see is swirling, roiling sand, and you're disoriented, trying to stay afloat in an unfamiliar environment, and Then your air supply is CUT OFF, it makes it very disconcerting.  Then, tangle your arms into the kelp, add a outward flowing current, swimming alone, and I called it quits after 15 minutes.  The Pacific Ocean proved to me, at Dana Point's Strand Beach, that it rejected any attempts to be snorkeled.

I may try again down at 1000 Steps, where it is more rocky, or off the head lands where there is very little sand.   I've heard that "30 feet" of visibility is "normal"in OC on a good day.  I didn't even have 3 feet of visibility yesterday.  The Psycho suit will get used, both in the Winter (it is very warm) and in the summer when the water is too cool to swim comfortably.  I have a body board that I plan on riding waves on.  Il faut voir.

$8 Cranberry Juice

This year, I developed a new drink that I enjoy, but I am not sure how sustainable it is, due to cost.  The recipe is simple:

1) Get a large glass (plastic if near the pool, glass if inside)
2) fill 1/2 to 2/3rds with ice
3) cover ice with organic cranberry juice - real cranberry juice, not pear or apple or other juices with some small percentage of cranberry in it, but actual real cranberry juice like R.W.Knudsen 100% Organic Cranberry Juice
4) add one or two (or three) shots of Costco vodka or Cruzan rum
5) put in either organic Stevia, or, organic Trader Joe's pineapple juice, to sweeten

All of these ingredients are cost effective, except for the organic cranberry juice, which is running $8 a bottle at WholePayCheck, Trader Joe's, and at Gelson's market on the PCH.  Large chain grocery stores (like Ralph's and Albertson's and Von's) don't appear to carry any 100% cranberry without added sugar or HFCS.  Oh well.  The tart cranberry does promote healthy renal function, and the Stevia makes it very low calorie, while the ethanol does help one fall asleep before 9pm to get up at 4am... but I need to find a more sustainable source of cranberry juice.

Minorities Today, Gays Tomorrow

SCOTUS today struck down the key enforcement clause in the voting rights act.  John Roberts handed Reince Priebus exactly what Republican state legislatures have been working so hard to do: suppress the minority vote.  It's not a big surprise, since Roberts has wanted to do this since he was a lawyer int he Bush whitehouse.  Sad how the voting rights act was last renewed 98-2 in the Senate, and +400-30 in the House, but can be struck down because of 5 activist Republican "Justices".

Tomorrow, I would be VERY surprised if SCOTUS does not uphold DOMA, and rule against equal rights for gay couples.  While SCOTUS referenced an "antiquated map" in the voting rights case, there will probably be no mention of an antiquated paradigm.

Maybe the silver lining will be that these stupid states who keep voting against their own self interests, will begin to change their defective state legislatures and governors... but I doubt it.

Welcome back to the trends of the segregated 1950s....  =(

8 Drinkable Craft Beers

After my Stone Brewery tour and conversion last December, I've sworn off corporate watered down swill and have tried throughout the Winter and Spring, to sample non-corporate, non-mass produced, true Craft beers made of better quality, with better ingredients, by people who love to make beer rather than just by a cooperation who is trying to increase share-holder wealth.  Some Southern California grocery stores have wider selections than others, but very few carry the Stouts and Porters that I have figured out I like the best.  There's a preponderance of hoppy IPAs, and a mad arms race to see who can concoct the most bitter, overwhelmingly hops-y beverages possible.  But since I am not a masochist, and I prefer to enjoy my beer, I'll leave those bitter glasses to others who like them.

This posting is a summary of affordable craft beers that are drinkable, but not my favorite  Some are not trying to be a Porter or Stout, and so they fall far off the spectrum of what I'd find delicious.  Others are trying to be their own version of "Awesome!" and perhaps, for someone who likes an IPA or other varieties, they might be enjoyed.  Regardless, they're made by smaller breweries who are trying their hands at craft beer, and for that aspect alone, I applaud them.

Misssissippi Mud, Famous Black and Tan, Porter & Pilsner Beer, Mississippi Mud Brewing Company, Utica NY (New York? sure…).  1 quart "jug". Found at Trader Joe's for less than $5 a jug.  While this was by far the most interesting bottle in shape and size, it did not live up to my expectation of an awesome porter.  Perhaps it was too much of a pilsner, and if you like pilasters, that's fine.  It was good, and drinkable, and for the price, not bad.

KBC Porter - Kennebunkport Brewing Company. Portland Maine.  I think I bought this one at Ralph's (a California version of Fry's / Kroger / Bi-Lo) for $5 or $6.  It was OK, and smooth.  It falls short of the Stone Smoked Porter or a Shipyard Pugsley masterpiece, but it was not bad.  Traveling all the way from Portland to Orange County put a rather large carbon foot print on this little bottle.

Hangar 24 Alt Bier Ale, Hangar 24 Craft Brewery, Redlands CA. "Carmel, Toasty, and Clean" the back label said, so I bought it.  I like Hangar 24 beers, they're fine quality, local, good beers.  But I am not much of an Ale fan.  Perhaps the years of drinking Little Kings creme ale in college have ruined my pallet for Ales for the rest of my life… and now only Porters and Stouts will do?  I don't know.  There was a hint of carmel in this bottle, but it was less than I hoped for.  Good and drinkable, please do not mis-interpret my personal preference as any negativity towards Hangar 24.

Rogue Mom Hefeweizen, Ale Brewed with Rose Petals, Rogue Ales Newport Oregon.  Rogue is another fine west coast brewery who makes a fine product.  I used to drink Franszaskanner Hefeweizen before they were corporately bought out, so I tried this bottle to see how good it might be.  It was fine for a Hefeweizen.  It was nice to see that Rogue states clearly on their label that no chemicals, preservatives or additives are included in their beer.  And the "6 ingredients" were simply "Wheat & 2-Row Pale Malt; Sterling Hops; Oregon Rose Petals; Free Range Coastal Water & Pacman Yeast".  Nice and SImple.

ACE Perry Hard Cider, California Cider Company, Sonoma County.  Found at Trader Joe's for < $4 a bottle.  Well, if you're a cider fan, you might like this.  I'm not a cider fan, so I didn't.  Dr Desert Flower is a cider fan, but she winced at her first sip from this very pear-heavy bottle. I tried to enjoy a cider... oh well.

Nero's 1st Century Double Dark Malt Ale, Imported Italian Craft Ale, 500ml, Birra Amarcord SA, Rimini Brewery, Apecchio Italy.  Trader Joe's was selling this for < $5 a bottle, and I thought "why not?"  It was OK.  It was not very dark, but it was all right.  

"The Beast Grand Cru Ale" Avery Brewing Co, Boulder Colorado, "The Demons of Ale".  The back label stated  "Ale with Raisins, Dates, Molasses and Honey".  I found it at WholePayCheck, $6 for a 12 ounce bottle.  It was definitely a complex Ale, with lots of flavors.  Very sweet.  It was good.  Too sweet for my tastes.  Avery is a highly regarded brewery, and makes a quality product.  I cannot say anything bad about this beer.  It had a great deal going on within it.  

Maudite Amber Red Ale On Lees, Unibroue Brewery, Chambly Quebec Canada.   Maudite (Damned) was a good red ale.  It's not a bad beer.  Unibroue is a good brewery, and their "End of the World" (La Fin du Monde) is a fine beverage.  The Maudite I found was from WholePayCheck and ~$6 a bottle.  I'll stick with the La Fin du Monde in the future.  

Espresso Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout, Great Divide Brewing Co, Denver Colorado.  An Imperial Stout! My expectations were unrealistically high.  I also drank it on a Friday evening when I was already somewhat sleepy - Friday evenings, having gotten up Monday-Friday at 4am, are typically 5-hour-Energy or coffee or espresso fueled, so that I can try to stay awake and spend quality time with Dr Desert Flower.  Had my expectations been lower, this would have been an awesome stout.   It was good.  It was Not bad.  I enjoyed it.  I just had hoped it would be more like a Shipyard or a Stone Imperial Stout.  I will drink a bottle of this again if given a chance, and I highly recommend you try it if you enjoy stouts.  

Black Socks & Shorts On Clueless Californians

When I was growing up, men and boys wore black socks with trousers.  If you were wearing shorts, you might wear white socks that went up to your mid calf or higher.  If you were wearing sandals, you didn't wear socks.  It was "gauche", in bad taste, looked bad, and - as my mother used to tell me - the darker socks held smell more, and could not be bleached out and sanitized as well as white socks could.    So I went more than 4 decades not seeing any respectable man or boy wear long dark socks anywhere, except during a soccer practice, if the team colors required dark socks to be worn.  Any man who wore dark socks with sandals was an obviously clueless social inept.

Then I moved to California.  I guess, back in Arizona there COULD Have been long dark socks being worn but most Phoenicians wore their barrio shorts so low that they were longer than most girls' capri pants hems, so I never saw them.   But here in California, boys, young men, middle aged men, old men, fat men, thin men, guys of all ages and ethnicities and marital statuses are wearing long black socks with tennis shoes or sandals and short pants.  When did that become socially acceptable, or even a preferred way to wear socks?  I've seen it outside Sports Chalet, in malls, at gas stations, walking down the street, in grocery stores, at COSTCO, and even at the beach.

I will not embrace this silly trend of long dark socks with shorts of any hem, I will not like it Sam-I-am. I will not wear them near to dusk, I will not wear them on a bus, I do not like the looks of it, I think in fact it looks like sh*t.  Just as I have refused to wear shorts that extend far below my knee, or brown-bagged elastic waisted old-man pants, or over-priced Ed Hardy shirts.  I'll leave those to the sheeple.

Just when did this "fashion trend" begin, and who can I credit (or blame) for promoting the acceptability of such poor choices? What "personality" thought it was a good idea, and now so many sheeple want to be just like their icon?  Put some trousers on, a kilt, or wear lederhosen perhaps if you're going to sport dark socks in America. Wear dark socks with sandals, and you're demonstrating you don't understand the joy of wearing sandals.

Best Father's Day So Far

- Wake up whenever I want to, after 8:30am, to the sounds of birds chirping outside the opened windows - it's been in the 60s every night this month, and in the 70s every day.

- Have a nearly all-organic breakfast, with my wonderful wife.  (only the bacon bits, portobello mushrooms,  and the Fage Greek yogurt were not organic)  Scrambled local eggs, sweet onions, bacon bits, shrooms, and a bowl of Fage with local raspberries and blue berries.

- Drive down to Salt Creek beach, getting there before 11am (so that we have a parking spot), and do yoga, side-by-side, mats sharing a sheet to keep the grass off the sheet. Ambient temp 72F, light 5mph on-shore breeze, not a cloud in the sky.

- Walk back up to the car (a nearly 200 foot vertical climb) to exchange yoga mats for beach chairs and water.  Walk back down to the shoreline, just soaking up UV and the gorgeous weather.  Other people's toddlers cutely played in the surf nearby... we didn't have to take care of any of them. =)

- After an hour or so, walk down the shore, and back up to the car, and drive to A's Burgers in Dana Point, to have a delicious, lettuce wrapped double hamburger

- Drive home in the convertible, gather reading materials and adult beverages, apply more sun screen, and head down to the pool.

- Enjoy lounging at the pool, reading many chapters of my book, consuming Cruzan rum laden drinks, soaking in the hot tub, swimming with my wonderful wife.

- Sometime after 5pm, walk back up to the house with my wife, have a delicious dinner together, spend more quality time together.

Of the quarter century of Father's Days I've had, this was the best one ever.

Picking Sides In Syria? Lannisters, Tullys, Baratheons, or Greyjoys?

Bill Maher made an excellent observation last Friday on "Real Time":

"MAHER: You mean al Qaeda? Because we're basically arming al Qaeda. I don't understand this --

ALTER: There's a peace conference. If they don't go into that peace conference with at least some victories on the rebel side, the rebels won't show up. So the president is trying to bolster them enough so they can get to the peace conference.

MAHER: It's like picking sides in Game of Thrones. "

Transcript link here. Syrian deaths over time, here.  BBC's comprehensive map of the violent factions who are often fighting each other, as much as they are fighting Assad, here. CSMonitor's take on the chaos here.

Frankly, I'd go with the Targaryens. It's wise to not bet against those who control dragons.  It just sucks that in Syria, the closest Targaryen equivalent are the fundamentalist Sunnis who want to establish an Islamic state...  =(  They both eat hearts as part of bizarre rituals.  =(

Smashed Blueberry Homerun

Shipyard Brewing Company's Alan Pugsley has hit another homerun with this amazing ale "Smashed Blueberry".   Wow!  I found it in the "Seasonal Craft Beer" section at Total Wine, and thought "the Imperial Porter was great... why not try this one too?"

It was amazing.  It had a smooth taste, full of flavor, and after swallowing, it was like a Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory scene - 'the blue berry really tastes like blue berry!'  I tasted blue berries.  I smelled blue berries.  The melodious scent of ripe blue berries filled my sinuses, senses, and total being.  I was surprised to find I was not turning blue and swelling up into a spheroid shape.  "Pleasant" doesn't begin to describe it.  Delicious, and worth the $6 I paid for it.

Alan Pugsley is a master of his craft, and I for one am delighted that he's in Maine making amazing craft beers and ales.  I normally do not like fruity beers or ales, but Smashed Blueberry has opened my mind and outlook to new possibilities.

Grammar & Accuracy Matters: Then?

I was driving along Golden Lantern in Dana Point earlier this month, when I saw this license plate holder in front of me.  "My wife is better then yours".  Well, first of all, that's just stupid.  That Corolla driver has never met Dr Desert Flower, and she is the best wife in the world, so wrong on the premise.  But look more closely, "then yours" indicates the driver doesn't understand the difference between "than" and"then" (it's simple, google it, Corolla guy).  But if I assumed this was intentionally grammatically structured as accurate, and that the driver was implying "First of all, my wife is better, then, your wife may be 2nd best" he's lacking a comma, so that is not accurate either.  Another failure of the American education system.

It is nice to drive around California and see very few "Truth Fish", W, "Rhino Hunter" or anti-Darwinian  placards besmirching my field of vision when I am at a stop light or parking lot (as there always were in GA, SC, and Arizona).  There's alot more "Hope", Obama/Biden, Evolve Fish, Wiccan, Coexist, Surfer, and laid back emblems, stickers, plate holders, and placards.