Spring Term update

Man it been awhile since I posted on here! Well, I am just about to start classes for my MCSA and am going to test for my A+ certification so I've been busy studying. Other then that I have been fighting my Media Center PC. Its been randomly rebooting. Thought it might be an update issue, but wasn't. So, I tore it apart, cleaned it up, reinstalled a lot of stuff, uninstalled all the unneeded apps and what not, and it was still rebooting. Finally, I just wiped the hard drive and upgraded to Vista....still not sure if that was a good idea or not 'cause now I have a whole different set of problems :)

On the kid front, Noah is back in soccer now. I'm not sure how much he is enjoying himself. I suspect he would rather stay home and play video games or go out and play with friends. Kay-la is back home with us now. Seems to be that her time away from home was somewhat beneficial. Its been a week now and she willingly cleans up when asked, and often with out being asked at all.

I've been brewing a lot of beer for the last year or so and have been brewing "all grain" since the start of the year. All grain brewing is when you start with just malted wheat and barley, not using the syrupy malt extract. Takes a lot more time, but gives you a lot more control over the final project. About Oct of last year, I joined a newly formed brew club which has been a lot of fun. I've met a lot of fun people.

Hopefully, I'll be able to keep up on posting here. I've also decided to start a new beer related blog, Everyday Drinking, though so far haven't been able to post much, lol. My hope is that each weekend I can post there what I have been drinking (along with photos, description, availiblity, etc.), and write about the local beer scene and any beer related events coming up.

At this time I am planning on going to the Oregon Brewer's Festival, and Hop Madness, and my 30th birthday is just bout 6 months away. Expect to hear more details soon about the party to beat all parties!

Wish List for Chris’s Birthday/Christmas/Just ‘cause:

In no specific order

Beer making stuff:

• Temperature control unit (http://morebeer.com/view_product/16663/102282) $54
• Chest freezer
• Brewing Kits (http://morebeer.com/search/102177) $30-$45
• Aeration system (http://morebeer.com/view_product/16607/102281) $32
• 6.5 gallon glass carboys (Hermans) 34$
• 5 gallon kegs (Hermans or www.morebeer.com) approx $35
• Carboy caps 6.5 gallon (2) and 5 gallon (2) (http://morebeer.com/search/102269) $3
• Carboy drainer (http://morebeer.com/view_product/15773/102269) $7
• Erlenmeyer Flask (1000 ml) http://morebeer.com/view_product/19890/102367 $10
• Stir plate http://morebeer.com/view_product/19911/102367 $114
• Gas Manifold 2/3/4 way (http://morebeer.com/search/102238) $27 to $47
• Bonnet Angler (http://morebeer.com/view_product/16272) $12.50

Books:

• How to Brew, by John Palmer
• Designing Great Beers
• Beer Captured
• Radical Brewing
• Brew like a Monk
• Clone Brews

Electronics:

• HD switcher box for the tv
• Itunes Gift Certificate
• Video Games, Guitar Hero 3, Rock Band
• Computer Hard Drive

Other Stuff:

• Gift Certificates
• T-shirts
• AHA (American Home brewer Association) Membership
• Beer of the month club
• MoreBeer’s Kit of the month club (www.morebeer.com)
• New Boots
• Quality Dress Shoes (that don’t squeak!)
• Chair Massager
• Beer Glassware (pilsner, goblet, stein, English Imperial pint, Samuel Adams Perfect pint glass)

Summer Blogging

Well, its been a few weeks since the last post but hey, we've been busy! Jenn's party was nice. We did a little BBQ with our close friends, just what she asked for. Noah has gone up to Portland to spend 6 weeks with his mom, Kay-la is being a teenager on summer vacation, and Ted's work finely got a few more people hired. Hopefully he won't have to work as much over time soon.

Over the last few days I have been researching "Beer School" and found OSU's Fermentation Science degree program. Its pretty neat stuff. I wasn't going to seriously consider it, but then I saw that they are hiring for a position that is currently what I do here. So...I could move to Corvallis, attend Beer School, and work there doing what I do now for more pay....except that I don't think anyone else wants to move. Well, I can always go later.

WIth the 4th of July coming up we have begun making plans. Looks like we will be doing a BBQ out at Wayland's and then going over to Linda's to watch the fireworks. Linda's house is right across the street from where they shoot off the fireworks, plus we can sit int he front yard and consume my beer, yay me!

Jen's Birthday

Just a quick reminder to everyone. Tomorrow is Jen's 31st B-Day. Hope everyone takes a little time to wish her Happy Birthday!