Moving to Harrisburg

I suppose that there should be a quote here about new horizons, or the lust for adventure, or important life decisions.

In a time such as this, I am reminded of the Teddy Roosevelt quote that I first heard when I was a boy scout: “Something something challenges, something something overcome, something something spirit of man.”

You know, something like that.

In any case, we, being the 2 primary subjects of this blog, are taking our lives to Harrisburg, PA. This is something that, 2 years ago, 5 years ago, or any other number of years ago, I would not have been able to imagine. It is both exciting and nerve-wracking in a number of ways: exciting in that my life will be more laid back and idealistic-leaning, nerve-wracking in that I’m pretty much starting over with friends and surroundings and all that social jargon.

So I threw the cotton sack over my shoulder, and boldly took the first step. I bet you’re wondering how we got to this point. Well, sit back and I’ll tell you!

I ask, what is in Harrisburg?

Tripadvisor ranks the activities in Harrisburg as follows…

No, silly imagined sarcastic alter-ego! I mean what is the path that lies before me? Maybe that’s too Teddy Roosevelt; let me rephrase.

Where will I hang my saddle by the time that calf is a cow? No, no....   Train is leavin’ station, and well, I need to be gettin’ on my ways to goin’…. No.

Time will tell. Cliché unavoidable.

22 beers - The three-fer Sunday Edition

On a sullen night, marked by a general boredom and the typical apathy that accompanies it, as well as a certain nagging but not debilitating indigestion, I found myself very eager to drink some of the excellent beers that I had acquired for the 22 beers feature.  I was already encouraged by the excellent experience of the first review, as well.

Because of this, I gave myself the liberty to consume and enjoy not just 1, not 2, but 3 (!) of the excellent beers.  I have reviewed each of them below:

DAB Dortmunder Export

Kostritzer Schwarzbier

Tucher Dunkel Hefe Weizen

DAB Dortmunder Export

Overall 7.5

Nice review at: http://www.dailybeerreview.com/2013/04/dab-dortmunder-export.html

Being labeled simply a "beer" made me think that DAB wouldn't measure up to the other fine drinks on the list.  I wasn't totally wrong: it's a very good light-bodied German beer.

The first sip was bright and refreshing, clean, and surprisingly pleasant.  Generous hoppiness accompanied by a clean spring-water texture make for a good sweet taste.  It was easy to drink and left you wanting more.  That said, there wasn't anything much to leave a strong impression.  It's a good overall beer.

I guess I have been spoiled, because I was left wanting more beer and also more complexity.  Reminded me of a Stoudt's Golden lager.

Kulmbacher Edelherb - 22 beers

Overall: 7.5

The prospect of a delightful German Pilsner with a steep and storied
tradition, is exciting.  The Edelherb from Kulmbacher became further
proof that the best beers are simply German.

The taste is clean and refreshing, but with a complexity that I imagine would make any brewmeister proud.  Though easy to drink, it is tasty enough that you won’t want to drink it fast.  Great by itself.




Die Aussicht auf eine herrliche Gernman Pilsener mit einem steilen und
ereignisreiche Tradition, ist spannend. Die Kulmbacher Edelherb aus
wurde ein weiterer Beweis dafür, dass die besten Biere einfach Deutsch
sind.

Der Geschmack ist sauber und erfrischend, aber mit einer Komplexität,
die jede Brewmeister stolz machen würde. Obwohl leicht zu trinken, es
ist lecker genug, dass Sie nicht wollen, um es schnell zu trinken.

Beer Busters Podcast

A new podcast featuring some of the most excellent beers known to man.  Featuring my good friend and broadcasting phenom, +Dan Baker

www.facebook.com/BeerBustersPodcast

Arturo Fuente Petit Corona

Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Cameroon, Candela, Connecticut, Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican


Taste -  7
Draw - 8
Build - 8
Price - 7
Overall – 8

Suggested Drinking:
Christian Brothers V S Brandy
Grant’s Family Reserve (scotch)

The Petit Corona is a member of the flagship Gran Reserva line, a well respected line of premium cigars.  Fuente is generally recognized for outstanding cigars at a reasonable price.  The Gran Reserva Petit Corona was no exception.

My previous experiences with Fuente cigars were very pleasant.  Though I wasn’t sure at the time the exact type of Fuente that I smoke previously, the memories were all good.

Lit with a butane torch (forgive me).  The first draw was a bit harsh, likely aided by my own poor lighting technique, combined with a somewhat moist atmosphere (I was sitting on my front porch).  With some patience, it settled down quickly.  Each draw became more smooth and tasty.  The cigar was very easy to smoke, as it was very well built and produced a hearty amount of smoke.

The taste was familiar to those who have smoked the Gran Reserva. Though it was a powerful taste, it was not charred or too smoky, but rather quite smooth and satisfying.  The taste and the texture seemed to get better with every puff.  Honestly, it was hard to stop smoking the cigar – I kept going down to the nub, until the heat was too much for my lips.  That said, it is not a sweet smoke, so a novice cigar smoker may want to look elsewhere.

For about $5.00, it’s hard to beat this kind of quality.  For myself, I will seriously consider buying the Gran Reserva in bulk.  Highly recommended.

The Best Year of My Life (so far)

Today, my beautiful girlfriend and I celebrate one year together.  She already knows that she is the best thing that's ever happened to me.

To say that the year went quickly would be an understatement.  At the beginning, it was a tumultuous time.  I blundered through the motions, well enough it seems, to warrant a second and third date.  All the while she was very graceful and understanding, of course.  And although I knew that I really liked her, it was hard to imagine just how much we would end up liking, and loving, each other.

Happy Anniversary, my dear.  Tonight we will toast to our new life in Harrisburg.

Reblog: Terribleminds - How To Maximize Your Word Count And Write More Every Day

http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2013/05/07/how-to-maximize-your-word-count-and-write-more-every-day/

A small and excellent sample:

"
Snatch Time From Life’s Thieving Jaws And Use It To Write

When life gives you no time, MAKE TIME TRAVELING LEMONADE.

That can’t be right. But it’ll have to do.

What I mean is, life is a low place that fills up quickly with whatever comes its way — water, sand, mud, elk scat, the tears of all the world’s children, whatever. Your time will swiftly fall prey to the nibbles and pecks of the Things-To-Do-Bird: you gotta go to work, go to the store, take out the trash, artificially inseminate that baboon HEY I SAID ARTIFICIALLY PUT YOUR PANTS BACK ON. Time fills up fast. Life is greedy and eager to exploit.
"