ww_watcher

HF. I understand completely. We have a 15yo Spitz/Border Collie female, Graziella, who lost her brother, Ottie, to cancer about 5 years ago and then her best friend Tremolo, a Rat Terrier/Chihuahua mix about 6 months later - to a pluot (plum-apricot) pit that got lodged in her small intestine. They were awesome puppies who loved playing chase throughout the house, over laps and sleeping guests...etc, whatever was in the way. I had to put Ottie (the brother) down and the worst part is I think he knew why we were at the Veteranarian's place and had bravely accepted it. I stayed with him to the end. Now it's getting close to Graziella's time. I don't think we will replace them for the same reason I would not remarry if I lost my wife. I've spent half my life on a ranch and had to put down many animals and pets but these were the ones that mattered. It's funny that we remember things about them that made us laugh and cry. For instance, Ottie was deaf as a doornail but his ears stood up as straight as his posture and was very attentive to his sister and friend. When he spoke to you, which was alot, he sounded just like a deaf person trying to create a sound they had never heard. We would laugh so hard but then Tremolo would come and stand in front of Ottie and scold us.

Don't encourage him. I haven't the stones for another joke like that.

I had said I would get a little video of brew day. I still am but I've been moving my brewing partner into our guest room as he is on his way to Nashville and needs to get a few gigs taken care of (musician) before he can leave town. Looks like Wednesday will be the day. However, my wife and one of her friends have purchased the ingredients for Elderberry wine. So I guess that may be the activity of the day.

Hey! I'm not old, I'm lazy...so there! Well, OK. I'm old too...but mainly lazy.

A great many muslims would prefer to get on with their lives without the complications of religious differences. However, they aren't the ones blowing up people which renders their religious viewpoints irrelevent. Until we can get a handle on who the violence perpetrators are and stop them cold, a very real limit needs to be placed on their movement. Concerning refugees: they need to choose a side and defend their respective countries instead of just running to sanctuary. We did it during our civil war where millions died and atrocities were committed by both sides until an understanding was reached. This resulted in a stronger US. Our new weakness is a result of not requiring people to take responsibility for their behavior and family well-being; this includes our government.

So, I sort of apologize, ahead of time, to the gay folks reading this...as told to me by a flamer I've known since elementary school. There was a bar frequented by longshoreman and it was about time for them to start popping in when in walks an obviously effeminate fellow. He struts up to the bar and orders a pink lady (I know, I know). The barkeep eyes him suspiciously and thens warns him, "you should probalby get outa here, tinkerbell, the regulars may not be so friendly." The fellow puts on his most indignant expression and tells the barkeep, "I know my rights and you'd better serve me or I will have this place closed down." The bartender fixes the drink and says, "Here's your drink. Go over into that corner and drink up then get out without talking to anyone. I don't want no trouble. You got that?" The fellow puts on a smug face and traipses over to the corner table and quietly sips his drink. A few minutes later in walks a big hairy burly man, filthy and um sweaty, and orders a beer and a whiskey chaser, slams them both and then tells the barkeep, "Bartender! Bring me the biggest steak you got. I am so hungry I think I could eat a whole cow...almost immediately you hear this small voice from the corner table go, "mooooo!!"

I liked Neil Diamond in The Jazz Singer. He played a Jewish Cantor who made it big on stage.

This is my experience only, Back in the 70s, when Iran was still run by the Shah, one of my duties in the USAF was to train Iranian airmen how to maintain the reconnaisance equipment on the RF-4Cs which we had sold them (i did the same thing with the Saudis only I went to Saudi Arabia to do it). One particular fellow was a Christian among his muslim compatriots. He was also one of only two enlisted men in the group; the rest were officers (I think mostly because of money not education). Of the 20 or so Iranian airmen he was the only one respectful of us as their instructors. One of things he warned me about was, as BB said, the use of the Burka by men to hide their identities. This way they can hide among women and children, essentially using them as "meat shields". However, I learned tell the difference by watching how they interact with others (you can't always see their eyes, which would be another clue); the women are subservient and meek and the men can't fake this well. This became a personal safety issue with me because I have no tolerance for the un-earned arrogance of the people I had to deal with professionally. When the Shah was deposed by the Ayatollah the country's society was set back at least 100 years. My friend, who was still attending the tech school, had to request political asylum because he got word that his family, who had members in the government and were Christian, had either been killed or imprisoned during the regime change. I was even cornered [at work] and threatened by a couple of his fellow airmen -not because they were concerned for his safety- but because they thought that I and a couple of friends, were hiding him somewhere. AT WORK! they did this, on an American base, on American soil! As a group they were placed under house arrest and sent home the next day and in case you guys are wondering those two got a 5 second lesson in reality about how Texas cowboys address this behavior...but I brag...a bit. Anyway, Since I have met and worked with all kinds of people from all over the Muslim world, in my estimation, I have found most are good people. However, in the big picture, those good people are irrelevant because they aren't the folks who will hurt you. I could easily be confused as a racist, but then the middle easterners should not be identified as a race; they are a society, whose behavior and laws are set by their religion...and their history. I make my personal judgements on an individual basis but as a group my opinion changes accordian to that societies known behavior patterns. This is why I am constantly astounded at the -apparent deliberate- naivete demonstrated by my country's leaders in their dealings with these people. The reason we established a Navy was because of this exact issue. Nothing has changed since then, so why haven't we learned? What is the motivation behind our country's (and I am not talking about our government; that's political) acceptance of the horrendous behavior pattern routinely shown by the muslim society? The Ghurkas and the warriors of the Sikh are nothing like the muslims who have recently invaded the UK and Europe and have served the British empire faithfully. However, I have not actually met any who would wear their ceremonial knives blatantly in public. Only the show-offy kids. I never knew it had become an issue. I am a McGregor and I have worn a sword (in battle I would prefer the axe) with the battle tartan, but I wouldn't do it for any other reason than ceremonial. BTW BB, folks who have been blind for a while can tell a lot by voice inflections. I am sure you can tell when someone, you are talking with over the phone, is smiling or sad or tired or has had a bad day. You don't need to see their faces. That you think about this is the reason you can usually tell when someone is being honest or not. Most of this generation have lost that skill because if they can't see "LOL" written in txt, they won't realize you are being mirthful; they are not paying that kind of attention.

I am going to guess that the two big guys are "enforcers" of some kind. Their muscles aren't for show (as are male model muscles) and the way they move, stand, and sit suggests they are athletes or bodyguards/bouncers.

At least the last night can be a friendly one.

I think it is nice that they are talking. And there is some laughter. Also now the serious drinking starts. It may be a nice send-off party.

an addendum to #6. "...make him a sanwich..." but stand close enough that he pat your bottom when you set it down in front of him.

The alcohol content of beer is brewer and recipe dependant. There are way more than a hundred craft breweries in America (last count 15 brew pubs in Austin, Tx alone) and their beers are as varied in alcohol content as the German beers (which. Some, such as Golden Monkey from the Victory Brewers in PA, have an alcohol content of 9.5%. If you are refering to Buttwiper (Budweiser) at around 3.5% (they claim 4% on the cans but I say bah!) when you make the claim that the German beers are more powerful then you would be correct. However, as a homebrewer, I won't drink that swill with your mouth. Buttwiper is made from rice, not grain (totally against the Reinheitsgebot of the German version of Bud). They use herbs to artificially make up for the lack of taste and yeast accelerators to speed up the fermentation process. Most of the older breweries in America, such as Anheuser-Busch et al, opt for quantity not quality and rely on the near-freezing temperatures to shock your taste buds into insensitivity so that you won't notice the lack of, or foulness of, taste. There are many American Lagers or Pilsners that compete with or exceed the tastiness of any German beer. Also, most German beers are served between 55F - 65F because that is the temperature of their cellars. I serve my Ales at around 65F and my Lagers at about 60F. Yes, I have two kegerators for that reason. Presently I have a delicious Loquat Koelsch (Kölsch- northern German style) on tap and it, along with my Oatmeal Stout, is about 6.5% abv, a Vanilla Porter at about 8%, and an Amber Ale at about 4%. Also keep in mind that many American beers are sold 12oz at a time. An American pint = 16oz, Imperial pint = 20oz, the steins that you see at German Octoberfests can hold up to 1 liters (~ 2 imperial pints) which is about 40oz of beer.

"Better a lost opportunity than to invite disaster." Stilgar, Na'ib of the Fremen of Sietch Tabr, Frank Herbert's Dune. Many of my High School friends, who had the gift of gab, are working on their 2nd or 3rd wives and 1st or 2nd child support. Though I was 29-30yo when I met and married (5 months between met and married) my first girlfriend, we've been at it for 30 years now. That's the good part. The bad part is I have seen more naked women (not including the wife and daughter) and been offered more sex than I ever did as a single man.

So my idea is a good one considering that no one can get out of paying for their preferred lifestyle; Including the businesses. I will have to think of a comprehensive way to cap the disparity between the head honcho and the peon. One good way is to make it against the law for the golden umbrellas of the CEOs. If your business fails, you fail and you still have to pay your employees. But the CEO should still be paid according to their worth; and it is their company after all.

I had forgotten about that. What did we do to collect the operating expenses for our government?

What do you folks think about eliminating the income tax and establishing a strict consumer tax? The idea is, if you buy a Lear jet you pay a one-time tax according to it's value, but you'll also pay a tax every time you feed the beast. There will be no depreciation factor for tax breaks. If you feel your ride is getting old, you have a choice of continuing the less expensive maintenance, and respective tax, or buying a new one, which will be taxed according to its value. For those of us who can't or don't want to spend our money that way we pay a substantially lower tax on that Toyota Camry. Repairs on your consumer items will also have a tax affixed according to their value. So that Lear Jet owner will have to pay for that luxury. We would then be able to eliminate the IRS because they would be rendered unnecessary. Companies will still need accountants to keep the books and pay the taxes on the company jet. Yes a lot of IRS employees would have to find other jobs but since there is no income tax you can now open up that lemonade stand you've always wanted and don't have to pay that business tax; only a one-time tax on the equipment you purchase and the subsequent tax on its maintenance. Any business whose work force goes overseas pays a huge tax and that will encourage those businesses to keep their workforce local. Yes, your internet and cell phone bill will go up a bit but you will still have that 33% of your income you pay out now, still in your pocket. the more frugal you live, the less tax you pay out of your pocket. I am not sure about import tax because, example, the Japanese have forced the american car makers to take a closer look at the quality and value of their work. Competition is good. Keep in mind that going out to eat is taxable since prepared food is a consumer item. Groceries may not be taxable but cigarettes and alcohol definitely are...unless you homebrew (just kidding). Perhaps I haven't thought of everything but I believe this arrangememt will prove less expensive to operate within so we will have more of our hard-earned paycheck to use as we see fit. I would also like to see the Federal Reserve abolished along with interest on loans. I don't use a credit card so I am already half-way there.

I don't get it. Do you guys make up what you see? Adele went to kiss Danaya, Danaya stuck her tongue out and Adele kissed it. Plain as day. She chuckled after that. Then they hugged with Adele clearly being pulled in between Danaya's legs and Danaya patted Adeles bare(ish) bottom. Maybe it was just a show but there was no disgust or revulsion showing on either of their faces.

Is she staying in Aida's room?

Thes. My wife is a hobby artist and among her supplies of oils and pastels are water colors. The Japanese are known for their watercolor art. It isn't kid stuff, it's a choice of mediums.They are popular in grade school simply because they are cheap AND non-toxic.

On a happier note...I wonder what Aida is studying? She has been writing and has her calculator out. I'm going to guess she has more active brain cells, than the two roomies, and appears to be exercising them.

On a good day I can hear the sounds from COTA (Circuit of the Americas) near where I live. I've been to Talladega once. I got many awesome photos, one showing Dale Jr's (before he changed sponsers) car engine giving it up, and coated with oil and tar on the left side of my body. There were several "$4 shot" bars, which I had never seen till then. Alas, only one served JD Black and it dried up first...go figure.

Earlier this month I turned 60 years OLD. It was supposed to be a big deal with kegs of homebrew, live music (open stage and many musician buddies), and various kinds of grilled carnage. Well we have an annual convention called SXSW where presently undiscovered talent can come, get exposure, and hopefully get discovered. It was cool for the first couple of years but then Rap and DJs ( if we wanted to listen to a DJ we could to some Disco or wedding, or a Bar Mitzva) invaded the scene bringing with it thuggery and mayhem of all kinds, then also came the politics and headliner bands who have no need to be here and then came the "no-refusal" weeks (where if you get pulled over you give blood -can't refuse- to see if you are driving drunk). ANYWAY, my musician friends got gigs to play and others didn't want to fight the traffic and take a chance on getting pulled over so no one came. Sad. Instead, that night, I acted as a roady for my brewing partner. A cheezy way get to see a couple of shows for free. My brewing partner is one of the more sought-after local bass players so he was invited to play 19 gigs in 3 days (he was an animal)...mostly headliner Rap crap but a few musical shows...and he made a measly $150 USD in all, though at least two of the headliners he played for made several thousand. He was getting pissed but trying to remain professional. Having had enough, though, he opted out of one headliner gig, at the last minute, when he found out the hippety hopper was only going to "Trow de bitch a jackson and a fatty an he'll be down" (yes, we heard him say it to one of his entourage just moments before set-up time) for a 1 hour show for which he was getting paid $500 (and no other musicians were being used). Just a cheap pre-programmed keypad, and a mike. So he told the rapper to go fuck himself and use the beat boxing bum standing across the street. One of his meatlocker buddies was going to make a big deal of it but the bar owner (a friend and former MMA fighter) and I stepped between my friend and the meatlocker and two pals. Alas I broke a nail but a stern point had been made and the owner calmly told the rapper to play his gig and get out along with all his fans. A few minutes later the cops came and removed the freshly concious meatlocker and two of their posse, ziptied and sitting quietly on the floor by the door. The rest of the show was peaceful...more or less. We left after two beers, called it an evening, and retired to my house for homebrew, jammin' with the oldies on youtube, and my wife's good cooking. SXSW sucks and I hate Rap music.

They, like a lot of people of her generation and later, don't know about things like, mowing the lawn, twisting a fatty and grabbing a cup coffee and sitting on the porch to watch the sun come up, collecting chicken eggs, putting hay out for the cattle, feeding (slopping) the hogs, working on the car before the sun gets to hot, ...etc. and that's before breakfast.

The neighborhood moms had to put a 7:30am restriction on us kids because we would have already up and playing football, or tag, or chase, hide-n-seek, or army, or...by then. If I had stayed in bed till after 7:00a my mom would have been checking for a pulse...