Month: October 2005

The Stash Renewed

While in Syracuse NY for a couple of days, a brief side trip this morning to the Galeville Grocery sees the stash now renewed for another month or two. As a result, I have stories to write about Middles Ages, Mendocino of Saragota, Magic Hat, plus two new to try from each of Youngs, Ommegang and Weyerbacher (their imperial stout and imperial pumpkin ale) as well as a bunch of singles including Stoudts ESB.

The night before found me at Clark’s Ale House and its neighbour the Blue Tusk. I didn’t take notes or photos taking the time to just enjoy these two great bars and introducing them to pals. Both institutions handle the beers fantastically, coaxing hidden flavours out with their cleanliness and care. I had my first taste of Lake Placid’s keg only brown ale last night at Clark’s – very pleasant nut brown with what I thought was an interesting subtle spiciness in either the hop or yeast selection. At the Blue Tusk I settled into an extended relationship with Dogfish Head 60 Minute Ale, the intermediary between their Shelter Pale Ale and 90 Minute IPA which sits in what I now think of as my happy place. There are snugs at the Blue Tusk, those little rooms off rooms that give you a quieter spot, time to talk and listen. The one farthest from the bar sits eight in benches like slightly reclined pews.

Boring Wednesday

Nothing planned, lots of busy work, day before pay day – a lot of things conspire to make a day so dull you wish that you could relive the day they announced the Segway ’cause at least on that day hopes for a plan for world peace or limitless fuel were dashed by a goofball who thought we were all dying to riding around two-wheeled bread boxes with hockey sticks for handles.

I still have never seen one.

Responsibility

This is how these things should work:

“Earlier today I became aware of a search warrant alleging that I was the subject of an RCMP investigation relating to a land transaction somewhere between 1996 and 2002,” Sorbara said Tuesday night.
Ontario Finance Minister Greg Sorbara in the Ontario Legislature. “While I have no idea as to what the allegations are or the facts on which they are based, my responsibility as a minister of the Crown is to step aside pending a determination of the matters alleged in the warrant.”

No waiting to see. No Delayesque slandering of the prosecution inviting the disrespect for due process and the constitution. Just doing what is the right thing to do.

I Feel A Bit Bad


Bubba! What are you doing here?

I do not feel like celebrating the Yankees loss to the Angels as it was so similar to the Red Sox loss to the Chisox earlier in the week. Aging starters, a key error by a younger player without playoff experience, veteran sluggers not making the big play when needed. Maybe paying too much attention to the rivalry this year distracted us from others surpassing the old American League guard.

Losing Baseball

It was sad but expected when the Sox lost and it was kinda sad and expected when the Yankees lost yesterday as well. Sad losing baseball from getting home after work to hitting the hay pushing midnight. I think I was saddest for Randy Johnson who got booed by his own fans after letting the game get away 5-0 in the early innings. How odd it is to be a fan of a team and have that much ill will to one of your best players, a guy that a few days ago got you the win that got you into the post-season. He didn’t look angry when he was pulled from the game, he didn’t curse back at the crowd – he looked sad. The photo above from The New York Times captures it perfectly – as so many of their sports photographs do. What other job is there that people give you such immediate punishment when you fail?

Don’t get me wrong. I still hope they lose this afternoon.

Later: