Ale Thoughts - Choice Overload

I was in Charlotte, NC this past week for work and a post work walk back to my hotel brought me to a few locations that had more beer choices than humanly possible. A four page book at one stop. It gives the places a nice "over 100 beers on tap" label but the bartenders tell me that maybe a quarter of the choices get used with the others getting put in the 'special' category in hopes to move them with a discount. It got my large melon to delve into the many, many, many beer selections out there; while of course enjoying a cold one while I delved. I personally enjoy a Fat Tire on draft and a Bud if we are going can. And don't even think about sending a light beer my way. Seriously though, there are only so many variations of beer possible if you leave out the fruit/funky mixtures; yet so many are attempting to make the next 'new' ale. Many attempts at the IPA were on display which I personally believe the 'P' stands for piss-water as they all go down bad. Fruit and beer mixtures are almost reincarnating the wine cooler with a beer label; if that makes sense. I don't want to harp on the entrepreneurs or the beer snobs but the game of beer musical chairs is on and there isn't even close to enough chairs. It is a crowded room and might want to keep your hobby in the garage with beer festival appearances (love a good beer festival) and not give up that day job just yet. 

Trail Head

Best (powderpuff) Football Team Ever

In the spirit of autumn and homecoming, we go back 35 years ago this month (been around awhile) that the best collection of powderpuff football players were assembled at Milford High. It was "flag football" in print but there was some intense football from the female side going on; so much they stopped playing it after the game of the century in 1983. Coaching the dream team was yours truly, Gus and Rob. I'm going off of memory on this but don't think we had more than two practices in preparation for the showdown. We took down the sophomores and the seniors took down the freshmen in the qualifying games which led to the super showdown. 

I give the coaching accolades to Rob as he had a simple game plan; give the ball to Dana McD and EVERYONE sweep left or right with a pass or reverse being the only other plays. Get in the way of the others in grabbing the flag with pushing and shoving encouraged. In others words, keep it simple. The juniors we were coaching adopted the team name of B.A.B. (bad ass bitches) and our offensive and defensive lines were just that. These ladies pushed some people out of the way. There was pride on the line and with that, some serious collisions with no pads in place. The seniors were so jealous of the thrashing going on and wouldn't be outdone in the championship game as they taped E.B.B. (even badder bitches) on their jerseys. This scribe won't comment on the holding that took place to prevent the dream team from winning the fictitious world championship Redskin Powderpuff trophy but will always know who was the better team.

Trail Head

Best No Solicitor Sign Ever - Ode to Cosmo

While I have a simple 'NO SOLICITORS' sign on my front door, my mom has taken the process of advising said solicitors that she means it up a notch by the attached sign on her front porch. I especially like the "SHIT WILL GET REAL" notation as I don't think I've ever heard those words from her mouth and visualizing her saying it makes me laugh as she is not one to ever cuss. 

And I would be remiss to not advise of the crazy dog (singular) that will most definitely be barking and yes, everyone will get annoyed. The crazy dog that will be barking regardless if you knock or ring the door bell (the barking will start when you pull in the driveway) is none other than the one foot high by two foot long ball of fur named 'Cosmo'. A rescue dog that my mom has had for about a decade now. Cosmo LOVES my mom but has a bi-polar thing for everyone else. He'll jump in your lap and be a happy dog but as you walk away, he'll dig those tiny, yet VERY sharp, teeth into your ankle. My mom has tried every type of treatment known to man to try and correct it but we've just come to the point of being okay with wearing shoes in the house and watching for the fur ball as you walk away.

Good dog.

Trail Head