intheclear

It’s ten days into the new year, and so far so good. I’ve managed to get my ten pictures up over at disaster is imminent.

I’ve also managed to keep a better attitude about the year, and I don’t see that changing.

So it’s 2010 now. Pretty amazing how time flies. As usual new years bring new resolutions. This year I have three.

1) Take a picture a day. Post it over at http://disasterisimminent.com, I’ve had that domain for a few years now and haven’t found a good use for it yet. I think I have one now.

2) Blog more often, a lot more often. I think almost every other person who has a blog these days has this on their list, Why should I go against the grain?

3) When I make a commitment, complete it. This should bleed through everything. From getting healthier, to writing, taking pictures, getting organized.

Pretty simple eh? Let’s hope so.

They say change is the only constant. I’m not exactly sure who exactly they are, but it is a statement one can’t really argue with. Everywhere you look things are more different today than yesterday, and that train will keep rolling.

The real test is how we deal with change. Some people tend to fight it. Some accept and move on. Some look at it as a head on challenge and don’t look back.

I’d say personally over the last few years I’ve selectlively done some of each. Change is good when it’s new gadgets and toys, I mean the PS3 is obviously better than the PS2, the 2010 is better than the 2009 model and so on. That is change we can all deal with, but what about our routine?

I’ve also had a conflicting view on this, the idea is comforting, but sometimes I need to be up till 3AM, others going to bed at 10:30 seems just right.

I suppose it boils down to balance. That cliched idea. Well, this whole post has been about those kind of ideas, but what can you do?

I think this time I’ll have to attack it.

Left Hand Sawtooth ESB

It’s about time for a beer review. The third brew on my journey was the Left Hand Sawtooth ESB. The first thing that crossed my mind when I ordered it was “Awesome. I hate bitter beer, but I have to dig in and try something new.” I am glad I did. First, the beer isn’t bitter, its more a nickname for a pale ale. The Extra Special bit refers to the strength of the beer, usually 4-7% abv.

I have to admit as well with the first quarter of this journey I’ve been relying on memory for these reviews, I don’t remember all the details, the beer was fantastic and it taught me a good lesson about beer, the name can be deceptive. I have about two other really good examples of this lesson throughout this journey. Some good and some bad.

I’ve fallen off the gym train the last week or so due to an injured toe. If anyone can explain how a toe can feel like it’s broken but not have any visible damage to it or no recollection of injury I’d be deeply indebted.

I’ve also had to put the brakes on the beer-quest. Two months in, one quarter of the way there I’ve spent almost half of my original budget. Don’t get me wrong I recognize good beer means money will inevitably be spent I just need to reel it in and take advantage of the specials a bit more. Hello Monday, Thursday and Sundays!

August has just begun, and for me that means only one thing. A fresh start. Of sorts.

I wanted to be lean and mean so I wiped the mac, and pre-ordered snow leopard. Set a new focus goal of burning 2,000 calories weekly.

I’d love to say I have a goal of blogging daily, I’m hoping to get there, but we have to think baby steps.

I also have the camera charging up and will be snapping a bunch of pictures this weekend.

Initially I thought this beer review thing would be a snap. Make sure I grab a picture each time I order them e-mail it to myself. I’d have the name in the subject line, the date I drank it, and I would just have to make mental notes about the taste. Well, thats awesome in theory. My phone takes pictures in 2048×1536. That doesn’t play nice with most themes and well, that’s a dick move to post an image that big. I have a new system in place, I’m manually resizing and without further adieu, here is review #2.

I ordered an Avery White Rascal. I’d had this beer a few time in bottles and I was excited to try the draft. That excitement was pretty short lived. I know it’s an unfiltered beer so each one can be a bit different. I also know that usually drafts are better. This one was a different story. It was a light beer in color and for the most part went down fairly easily but did get old rather quickly. At the end of the day this particular one was a fail, but im not ready to write it off. I’ll be visiting it again.

I spent the night watching UFC. I still don’t think I can say I am a fan, but I’m giving it a shot.

I had the blackberry wordpress app on my phone, but the updated version of my phone’s software broke it. It’s a shame because the app was nice and I was able to get posts formatted and saved. I’m sure it will get resolved soon enough.

Expect a few more beer reviews tomorrow.

I just got my new enclosures in. The 2.5″ was the easiest to install. The 3.5″ drive in the mac mini style casing was not only a pain but noisy as crap too. Hopefully that doesn’t mean the drive is dying.

I have alluded over the past few months about the UFO club at the Flying Saucer in Nashville. They have a seemingly simple challenge. Pony up $18 for a t-shirt and a membership card and try 200 different beers. The menu is daunting and there are sections that you will surely want to avoid. For me its the stouts, but we will get to that soon.

Last night I finished my 25th beer. I’ve been making notes to blog about each beer. I’m not a pro at this but I expect to get better over time. And without any more delay, let’s get this going.

That right there is what I got when I ordered a dinkel laker. I think I got a Spaten Bock. Either way it was tasty. Very dark smooth and almost nutty. I cheated with this one. I had tried it before on my first ever visit in 2003 or 2004. My only real warning with this beer us to drink it quick. When it warms up it tastes nasty. Overall this beer is not a fail but its not really a win either.