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I spent a good portion of the day hammering out another blog, and filling it up with more content than I've posted here in a month. This blog will be dedicated to my homebrewing stuff. I'll keep notes, rant about stores ingredients, and gadgets. I'll also report on the progress of my brews. Right now, I call it Higgins Heifer Brewing ". Check it out. It'll be good for a laugh.

I brewed my second batch yesterday morning. Its coming along well and bubbling every 8 seconds. Kate used my spent grains to bake a bread. That's in the oven right now. I can't comment on it yet.

On Friday, I went to the Maine vs. Northeastsern game with my Dad. He can't get over how poor the attendance is at a Hockey east school. It's some of the countries best college hockey, and they don't sell a quarter of the tickets. Maine won 6-3, pleasing my alumnus father, but they didn't play very well. I think the whole team took the second period off, and only played hard during the 3rd when they scored 3 unanswered goals.
posted by Ben at (0) comments 3:50 PM

 

So, the stillers made it to the super bowl and I've started to brew.  The brew won't be done in time for the big game but that's ok.

As I watched the Steelers/ Denver game, I wondered what good Clevelanders were doing.  Could they forget or forgive Denver's drive that kept the Brown's out of the superbowl, and allowed John Elway to lead a team to the most embarrassing defeat in the history of playoff football?  Maybe.  That was a long time ago.  And this time a different guy was wearing No. 7.  Of course he had two strikes against him.  He went to Miami, a school deeply entrenched in Bengals territory.  The other is that he plays for Pittsburgh.  The drive was a one time event.  It's a notable event, but its buried in the annals of history.  Pittsburgh is Pittsburgh every day of the year.

I doubt Clevelander could forgive their rust belt neighbor for that.  Clevelanders hate Pittsburgh, and Pittsburgians hate Cleveland.  It's natural.  The cities are, more or less, the same.   The people are, more or less, the same.  One has a hockey team.  The other city plays basketball.  The other differences are even more subtle and it irks the residents.  Pittsburgh is better in some ways, and Cleveland others....  they both harp on the other's deficiencies and bring the rivalry to a head with sport both populations find most significant.

A city of fans who stammer, just a little bit every time they hear the word drive must have found itself rooting for the Broncos.

Fortunately, I didn't,   Pittsburgh and Cleveland are more or less the same.  I'm a nostalgic New Englander who wants to see some success in the rust belt cradle of my education.  I also like the Bus.  He can't be stopped.  That crazy guy on Defense almost reminds me of Tedy Bruschi.   Not for the way he plays, but the way he fires up his team mates.  I like the idea of the Bus retiring on top, in his home town.   It just seams right.

Also, the success of old NFL teams correlates to a bullish stock market.  Expansion teams are less predictable and AFL teams are just bad.  Stillers over Seahawks by 8

And also, without the bus.  I think the Browns defense will be able to stop the defending champions on their home turf.
posted by Ben at (3) comments 10:27 AM

 

moe. 01/19/06 Orpheum Theater, Boston, MA
Set I: Brent Black, She Sends Me, It, Paranoid Android1> Seat Of My Pants> Akimbo
Set II: Buster> Spine Of A Dog> Not Coming Down> Wormwood> Brittle End> St. Augustine> 32 Things> I Wanna Be Sedated
Encore: Blue Jeans and Pizza> Rise

1 First time played (Radiohead).


Last night's moe. show was a lot of fun.  Kate and I haven't seen them in more than a year.  They've improved quite a bit.  At our last show, they were clearly exploring an Umphrey's Mcgee influence with original's like McBain (which is worked out and charted similar in style to a UM tune), and a Metallica cover.  UM brought hair bands to the jam world.   It's clear that they've adopted some metal stylings.  Chuck has become a rocker, employing tapping and well placed power chords to bring an intensity and a levity to moe.'s jams.  

They seem much more polished, and exploratory than they have been before - and to the apparent surprise of the folks on moe.'s phantasy tour site, have started segueing into different keys.  It's about time they figured that one out.  Really, they sound excellent...everything but their mix.  The vocals were especially muddled and Al's guitar (moe.'s historic lead) was too low in the mix.  He might have been playing with a new axe.  the blue semi-hollow bodied telecaster looked new.  But it often sounded thin in comparison to Chucks, fat, compressed and screaming les paul.  Chuck is satan.

I was very happy to see it.  It's a quirky tune off of Tin Cans and Car tires, and somewhat of a rarity.   Not coming down was very well played.  Of course, the setlist geek highlight was the debut of Paranoid Android.  The radiohead cover excellently placed and well interpreted complete with double bass action, creepy effects, and looping percussion.  It was a top notch cover.

All in all, I was impressed with the improv.  While there were still lengthy sections that amounted to little more than wankery (it is moe. afterall) there were some deep, and dynamic jams as well.  It's great to hera a band that enjoys playing, start to create.  For a tour opener, the band seemd very willing to take risks.  They'll up the ante as the bus moves along, and reward many a listener at later shows.
posted by Ben at (2) comments 2:25 PM

 

I mad the mistake of checking out the menu for March's CBC Brewer's dinner.  5 courses, 5 beers, 5x$10.  This menu includes an interesting mini-pot pie. Ostrich, filet mignon, and a tempting Halibut dish.  There isn't a clear and concise choice for any course.  It does look like they toned down the gravity of the beers a bit, making it easier to drink them all with each course.  Yes, the scotch ale, and cerise casee are high gravity - but they'll be served in a small volume.  It looks tasty, and I'm definitely going.

http://www.cambrew.com/happenings.htm
posted by Ben at (0) comments 2:41 PM

 
It's been some serious time, but Umphrey's album info is starting to leak. It's about time, as they are apparently floating promo copies to some radio stations. This version of Women Wine and Song was taped off of the radio. Chicago's WXRT does a new music Thursday, and they have been promoting the local band. I like the cut. Jake's singing works well, Joel has some fun solos and Huey Lewis guests on harmonica. That's right Huey Lewis.

http://s58.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2DQGMJS5NFR2I1FM6Q2UHHIAUJ It's an FM rip, complete with static.
posted by Ben at (0) comments 7:09 AM

 

Kimble has become a pavlovian snuggle cat, and is trading some crazy habits with that Higgins character.  As cat's go, Kimble is only moderately affectionate.  he likes some attention, but generally walks away if he's lathered with too much.  He doesn't usually seek it out, except in the mornings when my alarm goes off.  Then Kimble runs into the bedroom, and demands petting, belly rubs, or whatever other affection suits his fancy.  Of he's on the bed, he'll jump o the floor and expect attention from a groggy engineer who just wants to stumble to the shower.  It's cute really.  Higgins is starting to get in on the act too, but is also easily distracted by toys or toy like objects he may find.

Interestingly, today both cat's tried Higgins' whole, "If i sit by the door looking cute you can't go to work routine".   They were almost successful, and I wish they were.  Today I set a new record for the destruction of a new pair of pants.  They lasted all of 6 hours on site.  Way to go dockers.
posted by Ben at (2) comments 7:25 AM

 

The Packers fired Coach Mike Sherman!  there is hope for greenbay.  I've never been impressed by Sherman’s adequate - status quo style of coaching, and it has seemed even more pallid as I've relocated to the Belichick sphere.  There's great coaching in New Engalnd, and that great coaching has consistently yeilded a great team.  The Pat's pull guys up from their practice squad, from the afl, fcrom the street - whatever is necessary to fill holes and keep the team from being dismantrled by injuries.

The Packers have fallen apart in th face of injuries.   Their coaching staff hasn't deepened their organization, with a string of potential to fill any what if situation. The packer's had their worst season in 15 years, not because Favre is too old to play, but because they were so mismanged that they couldn't field an adequate team.  Native Packer's fans are too nice to harshly criticize and demand changes.  I'm glad that their front office realized that they needed a transition.  Hopefully they can pull up another member of Bill's coaching staff and continue the Belichikization of the NFL.  
posted by Ben at (7) comments 9:23 AM