Must TV Viewing

I don't know what it is about television shows that run for a number of seasons before I find out how good they are and start watching. I've mentioned "The Wire" in another post. An HBO series my son told me about that I loved. The series had already concluded before I started watching episodes I downloaded but better late than never I guess.

Now comes "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia". This series is found on FX and my daughter told me about it. This series has run at least four seasons now and I'm just starting season one thanks to Netflix. This is a very funny program and I recommend it. I've posted links to some YouTube clips if you want to check it out. Kitten Mittens is a good clip to watch although I haven't seen the whole episode yet. I'm watching each one in order.

A Few Musings

Lots has been happening. Well, during the past week anyway.

I've been thinking about trying my hand at brewing my own beer for some time now. As I mentioned in an earlier post I helped Good Rat Mike make up a batch and decided that I COULD do it. So, last Wednesday I attended the beginning beer making class at Bader Brewing in Vancouver. Doctor of Beer School JP and Professor of Beer School Tom made it a most enjoyable, memorable experience. Not only did I learn a lot but we tasted a number of different brews they had made up. I would highly recommend the class to anyone thinking of brewing beer. I also recommend that when the Doctor or Professor asks for volunteers raise your hand fast and enthusiastically. By doing so you will be the first to sample their beer and you might even get to taste some that no one else does. Volunteering in this class is a good thing. Now I just have to assemble all the utensils etc. I need to get started.

The next night GR Kelly and my oldest son, who I guess is really an honorary Good Rat by virtue of being my son, went to a Scotch tasting event at McMenamins Road House. Okay, it wasn't beer but we did drink some IPA and Ruby while we were there so I think that should count for something. What a night. We sat outside and the weather was absolutely perfect, the three others at our table were most interesting, the food was very good and of course the Scotch and the education about each of the five we tasted was grand. After it was over everyone just kind of hung around, talking and drinking a little more, enjoying the company, the venue and the weather. I look forward to doing that again.

Early this morning and I do mean early, as in 2:30am, Marie and I drove GR Matt to PDX for his flight to D.C. He'll be living with his best friend while going to graduate school. Although we'll miss having him closer, I feel a little better knowing he forgot his bottle of 15 year Laphroaig. I'll think of you Matt every time I have a sip... Prost!

Deck Party 2009

Well, another deck party has come and gone. The weather was perfect, the company was great and of course the beer was marvelous. I'm thinking that next year we need to start a little later in the afternoon so more than just a couple of us feel like sitting around after the sun goes down.

On a downer note Good Rat Patricia has left us for a new life in Milwaukee. If you haven't seen her blog, check it out. I created a link to it along with the other blog links. Word has it that she may be back this way in a month or two and perhaps the Good Rats can gather to hear about the big city.

While I'm saying good bye, here's to Good Rat Ron who will be leaving us soon for the dry side of the state. For those that don't know GR Ron is the one who has helped me keep my sanity these last few years. Some may wonder about that so just image what kind of basket case I would have been without him around. Who knows what the next few years might mean to my well being.

So, as a fare-thee-well to the departed and soon to be, here are the lyrics to an old song written by Shane MacGowan a former member of The Pogues. If you haven't heard it find it on Rhapsody or iTunes and check it out. It's also featured in several episodes (including the series finale) of HBO's The Wire. Which by the way if you have never seen it I think you should. Start with season 1 episode 1 and watch them in order to the end of season 5.

The cadillac stood by the house

And the yanks they were within

And the tinker boys they hissed advice

'Hot-wire her with a pin'

Then we turned and shook as we had a look

In the room where the dead man lay

So big Jim Dwyer made his last trip

To the shores where his fathers lay

But fifteen minutes later

We had our first taste of whiskey

There was uncles giving lectures

On ancient Irish history

The men all started telling jokes

And the women they got frisky

By five o'clock in the evening

Every bastard there was piskey

Fare thee well gone away

There's nothing left to say

Farewell to New York City boys

To Boston and PA

He took them out

With a well-aimed clout

and they often heard him say

I'm a free born man of the USA

He fought the champ in Pittsburgh

And he slashed him to the ground

He took on Tiny Tartanella

And it only went one round

He never had no time for reds

For drink or dice or whores

But he never threw a fight

When the fight was right

So they sent him to the war

Fare thee well gone away

There's nothing left to say

With a sláinte Joe and an Erin go

My love's in Amerikay

They're calling out the rosary

Spanish wine from far away

I'm a free born man of the USA

This morning on the harbour

When I said goodbye to you

I remember how I swore

That I'd come back to you one day

And as the sunset came to meet

The evening on the hill

I told you I'd always love you

I always did and I always will

Fare thee well gone away

There's nothing left to say

But to say adieu

To your eyes as blue

As the water in the bay

And to big Jim Dwyer

The man of war

Who was often heard to say

I'm a free born man of the USA

Prost! my friends...