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!

Snow Day

Ashland got 10 inches of snow over the last 24 hours! Needless to say, everywhere is closed including work. We are going to spend the day curled up in front of the new big screen tv and playing video games.

Southern Oregon Brewing releases first beers

Southern Oregon Brewing releases first beers

November 08, 2007, from Medford Mail Tribune

Southern Oregon Brewing Co. has released its first beers and has opened a tap room for public tasting and sales at its brew house. A golden ale and a porter are on tap.

Tap room hours are 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The tap room is at 1922 United Way in Medford, behind Lava Lanes. Tasters at the 24-foot bar and tables can view brewery activity through two large plate-glass windows.

Owner Tom Hammond and brewer Anders Johansen, whose resume includes stints with Pyramid and Deschutes breweries, are brewing once a week. Southern Oregon Brewing's 20-barrel brew house is capable of producing 620 gallons per batch.

Southern Oregon Brewing's phone number is 776-9898.

*I'm really excited about this. This area needs more local brewpubs. The building looks great and I hope to get a chance to visit them soon!

Think Geek

To the right you'll see my ThinkGeek wish list. To see the full list go to www.thinkgeek.com and search the wishlists for me.

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)

Jen's First day

Jen started her new job today and although she has said she is nervous about it, she also said she was more excited then nervous. Starting a new job is always a little nerve racking but I think she is gonna love it.

In other news the family is hosting a "secret Santa" Christmas party. If you would like to get in on it let me know.

Whats up with us?

Molly update: She came home after 8 days in the doggy E.R. and was put on a Malox and baby food diet. Apparently, she got a virus call the Corona Virus, which is a puppy bug that causes lethargy and loose stool. Then she ate something that is highly toxic to dogs (I suspect my hops the I dump in the compost after I brew my beer). The combination was so tough on her that her imune system couldn't fight the virus and it rampaged through her. So, 8 days and 900$ later, she is a perky little pup of 2 years again.

Jenn update: She is working a job that she doesn't like but she likes working....if that makes since. She was a stay at home mom for a year and a half but she got tired of cleaning up after our lazy butts. So she went and got a job.

T.E.D. update: He has Halo 3 now....

Kay-la update: Started her second year of high school a few weeks ago and went to her first dance of the year. So far so good!

Noah update: He has made some friends in the neighborhood that are rowdy little boys. Normally I wouldn't like this, except that Noah is kinda shy and needs some kids like this to bring him out of his shell....hopefully this wouldn't back fire and make Noah a rowdy little boy....

Chris update: Got my Kegerator up and running. Its a dual tap system with a 10lbs c02 tank. One tap is a Sanky (for commercial kegs) and one is for home brew. Right now I have a Kolsh from Wild River and my Belgium Golden Strong ale on tap. Work has been tough since its "back to school time" and everyone needs their problems fixed yesterday.