Monday, February 22, 2010

Some Things Never Change...

So last week we talked about changes right? Well, today I was reminded that some things never change.

I went to visit a career counselor at Grand Valley today, and she really thought that I ought to stay in my degree field and not pursue a completely new degree. Now, it's been almost three years since college graduation and anyone who knows me knows just what my job search results have been in those three years. Seeing her response and recommendation, I was left feeling a little befuddled. She recommened sites that I had already used in the past with less than satisfactory results, or one's I am currently using. Insanity can be described as trying the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Hmmm...

After our conversation I am however really considering taking steps to get either an MBA or an MPA (Master's in Public Administration). I would like to see what opportunities are out there for me if I decide to pursue grad school, as I see a pretty weak playing field as it stands right now with just my bachelor's.

I don't mean to keep this so short, but it's all that's been on my mind along with a couple others things I won't get into.

Have a great Monday night!

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

With a New Computer Come Changes

Well, as you might have guessed my old Dell kicked shortly after I made my last post on here. It gave me 7 1/2 faitful years of service but alas it's diagnosis was terminal. So last night I finally procured a new desktop computer, things run a lot faster on it needless to say.

With the new computer, the following week has brought about changes in my life. My daily routines will be different, my thinking will be different. I realized that certain parts of my life had to change in order for me to better focus and persue my professional goals.

I need to become a bit more selfish in order to achieve what I am capable of. This necessity directly affects others in my personal life in a sizeable way, but in no means is meant to in a negative way. The move is in fact supported and encouraged by those parties who are affected.

This hourney is a personal journey in many ways, other than professional. I would like to find a better connection between myself and faith. I have long put the measure off, but I think the time has come for me to fully acknowledge my faith.

Change is hard for many people because they become comfortable in the status quo. Change is scary, because very few know what lies on the other side. Any journey that is worth the effort and discomfort can not be put off.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

A Dark, Snowy Night...

On such a night, one has time to reflect. Especially when one does not have to be at work until noon the next day. It occurs to me, "Oh Shit!, I haven't been here since last week!" Now, it would assume that the weekend would have afforded plenty of opportunities to update, but nooooo, I was apparently too good for that.

To review, I had an awsome tme at a $1 Beer Griffins game Friday night with friends, and a great SuperBowl Sunday with friends as well. Saturday...I vegged. Sue me.

So tonight, Fat Tuesday we have "Snowmageddon"...according to the sensationalist local news stations. "Biggest snow storm in two months!"...Umm, we're only supposed to get 8 inches...DC just got 25". THAT'S a snowstorm. Period.

My point?

THIS IS MICHIGAN!!! It's February!!! Go play intermurals brother! Eight inches is simply a nice backdrop in the mitten. If you can't handle it, move to Florida. You've seen it before, stop crying wolf.

I'd enjoy a snowday tommorow, but that is doubtful. The last snowstorm in GR, GRPS was the only district to NOT close. I won't get my hopes up. Detroit-area districts have aleady closed, as well as outlying GR districts.

Well, I'm done ranting for tonight. Tommorow will bring what it will.

Goodnight!

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Beer Review: Keweenaw Widow Maker Black Ale

Hello again beer review readers. Found something new, at least new to me, from the Kenweenaw Brewery in Houghton, MI last week. It's called Widow Maker Black Ale, and I'm guessing it's a Porter. Let's find out!

A- Pours a deep, dark black, with a little light on the edges. This one looks like a porter. Lightly off-white head rised to finger width, then quickly falls.

S- Yup, this one's a porter. I'm smelling roasted coffee beans, a little espresso and dark breads. More wafts reveal an almondy scent, maybe toffee?

T- Not as great as the smell, this one is a bit thin. I still get some light coffee notes, as well as some pumpernickel bread taste. This one still has a roasty character, but it really is seemingly short on taste. I get a small zing at the end, maybe hops? Roasted malts for sure, but it feels almost as if this one was made to intimidate as few people as possible. When you do that, your product isn't going anywhere.

M- Very thing, very light and really watered down from what I was expecting. No real impact at all.

D- Very easy, it almost feels like I'm drinking a mass-produced lager with a hair of roasted flavor.

I don't know what to say, KBC is one of my favorite breweries but this one is an epic fail. Maybe it's far better on tap...who knows.

Monday, February 1, 2010

Beer Review: Bell's Hopslam

Well hello once again. As you know I went beer hunting last week and I got my hands of a few fun brews. I've got a real limited, special Michigan brew for you tonight. Bell's Hopslam is around five years old in existance, and is only brewed in a small batch in the middle of winter every year. As the name suggests, this one is a hop IED! Buckle up and get the weaklings out of the room.

A- Deep golden color with some hints of amber. The beer is quite clear, it almost looks like a pale ale. Oohh how wrong you would be! A white head rises to 3/4 inch and sloowly falls.

S- Here is where the truth comes out. When I get a whiff of the beer it's as if I have thrust my nose into a grapefruit! The citrus powers here are unreal, but below that grapefruity scent there's a bed of grassiness that's almost real enough to go rolling around in. All hops, all the time with this one.

T- Deep breath...it hits you like a rouge wave broadsides a ship the nano-second it hits your tounge. Daaayyyuumm!!! This beer is so full of hop resin that you would swear you were chewing on one. The harsh (or amazing) plant's taste is there start to finish. She's a shape shifter; one second citrus...grapefruit, then grass and earth and back! The citrus elements steal the show here, they show up on regions of the pallet, quite a floral flavor.

M- Mouthcoating is putting it nicely, shnikeys! You really have to have an appreciation for the hop if you want to enjoy this beer, otherwise you'll be overwhelmed. The sheer magnitude of the hop resin is what I take away from this one.

D- Ummm, yeah. I know that's not the proper way to start a sentence but this isn't your everyday beer. This one smashed right through AP and APA writing requirements and into the land so far beyond that only a select few have a priviledge of tagging along. To answer the question, one is all you need. Sip, savor and thank God for the hop flower.

** I haven't had this beer in over two years, if you can't tell. I'm enjoying it thoroughly, but it really is a wake-up call to my senses. Proceed with caution, and if you respect it, it will be wonderful.