January 17th

[StellaMaris]

Thought some of you would enjoy this video of yesterday's Blue Apples extravaganza at Rennes-le-Chateau, courtesy of Vanilla Beer:-

http://tilling-sur-aude.blogspot.com/

Amusing to note that the term "Maghead" is working its way into the public domain... :wink:

Thanks to Herring Guillaume de Gogol for the update, enjoy your walk this afternoon. Can you let Nil know that The Squirrels have nearly stopped smoking?

[ProfessorW]

I don't understand why the squirrels might be giving up smoking, but I do know that from tomorrow the most powerful man in the world will be a smoker. Perhaps this will mean that squirrels and "puffers" everywhere will be more relaxed about their so-called bad habits!

[StellaMaris]

Okay, well here's a bit of White House gossip for you. As it happens, the designer who's decorating the private quarters of the White House is a big fan of Santa Maria Novella pomegranate bath products:-

http://lifestyle.msn.com/your-home/room-design/articledomino.aspx?cp-documentid=16835552&GT1=32001

Could it be that he's a secret initiate of the Ordre du Hareng Rouge?!:-

http://www.mania.com/penguins-florence_article_57588.html

:lol:

[Jakester]

Mmmm...beer

[StellaMaris]

Why, Jakester, I do believe that's the nicest thing you've ever posted down here.

Could it be that your angle is beginning to tilt, maybe just by 1 Degree? :)

[Jakester]

Well, really, I had the last post in every forum, and wanted to see how long it would last.

Oh, here's something to consider: "The angle of the dangle is inversely proportional to the heat of the meat."

There. Back to 'normal.'

[StellaMaris]

I was going to mention the angle of the dangle, but I thought it would be more appropriate to let you do it...

I guess the only reason you had the last word is because you never ended on the word "beer" until now.

I love beer. I actually like it more than wine, although it's probably detrimental to my image as a refined woman of taste to admit this.

My favourite beer is Kronenbourg 1664 Premier Cru, for sentimental reasons. I'm absolutely devastated that my secret source has suddenly stopped stocking it - I can't even find it in the specialist shops. Perhaps the Frenchies have gone into a snit?

Part of my writing routine is to send my column to Jarrod at 7pm GMT every Friday and then open a 1664 Premier Cru to celebrate. But I won't be able to do that this week, so it's possible that I might behave oddly.

[Jakester]

Would anyone notice?

I do like wine, but beer is definitely delicious. There is a brewery a scant mile from my house that offers tours on Saturdays for $5. At the end of the tour, you can essentially drink as much as you want. They have many nice beers. My favorite is a high abv porter that is absolutely delicious. They also have several very tasty ales.

[StellaMaris]

Believe it or not, I'm actually "behaving" myself on Mania. What no one has realised yet is that we are writing about subjects and themes that are yet to be published... eventually everything will start falling into place in a most sublime manner.

When I try to imagine a high abv porter I get visions of a 9.5% Guinness milkshake, without the milk. Yum.

Maybe it's a girl thing, but I like imported beers. A local pub started selling Schneider Wiesse ON TAP around Oktoberfest time, which had a subtle banana milkshake vibe. I like Japanese beers, as well.

I can't drink a lot, though, because beer makes me wee with annoying frequency. Definitely a girl thing.

:o

[Jakester]

You're behaving?! I didn't know you were ever a bad girl! And if you were, are there pictures?

If I behaving for too long, something is wrong with me.

The brewery of which I speak is Flying Dog (http://www.flyingdogales.com). Their Imperial Porter is quite tasty, and the easier to find Scottish Porter is also delish. Being a microbrew, though, I wouldn't expect availibility across the pond.

[StellaMaris]

That's seriously COOL website! I wanna Flying Dog hoodie. I've bookmarked it in case I need to use an obscure beer reference as a secret code in one of my adventures...

But, you'll all be especially relieved to know that my secret shop has now stocked a new supply of 1664 Premier Cru, so everything will be normal in 23.5 tomorrow night.

So, are you in Maryland, then?? I went to Maryland University... looong story. We used to go up to Harper's Ferry to commune with nature and write bad poetry.

I don't remember meeting any Flying Dogs, otherwise I would have definitely drunk one...

[Jakester]

Oh, I'm keen to hear more about "communing with nature." Harper's Ferry isn't that far, and I used to go there with some frequency as a kid. Had lots of fun climbing on the rocks that weren't meant to be climed upon, IIRC. And digging up civil war bullets. That was neat for a young boy to do.

Flying Dog used to be out of Colorado, apparently, but they bought a brewery out here and it turned out to be more profitable to move the operations to MD, soooo... The Hunter S. Thompson connection is amusing, and I have become a fan of their beers in general. The triple bock is only "okay," though.

Glad you got your Cru back on hand! Maybe you should knock back a couple and write your column in between trips to the loo.

[StellaMaris]

Quick check-in while editing. Having an epiphany. Beer is Art::Art is Beer.
:wink:

[Jakester]

Okay, seriously, this has got to stop. You really must go delete one of the rare serious posts I make so that I can start yelling at you.
Us having a nice conversation is just NOT ON! IT MUST STOP, I TELL YOU! IT MUST!!

Do you somke cigarettes after your epiphanies? Did you have a multiple?

[StellaMaris]

Nope, no more yelling. I like nice conversations. And I've discovered that, despite your Bad Boy image, you're secretly a nice person who once climbed rocks and dug up civil war coins. But, don't worry, I won't tell anyone!

Besides, I'm going to be buried for the next week or so, so I won't be around to trade insults with you.

But I'm glad we had a chance to clear the air, though. Someday I'll be able to explain what happened and you'll understand...

And always remember that Beer is Art! :)

Sparkles from Stella *

[Jakester]

a) Shut UP! If everyone finds out, they'll all want one!
b) Like in a coffin? With you, I'm never too sure.
c) Quiet you! It's not natural, I tell you. If it persists, it can only mean that the Mayans got their calendar wrong!
d) It is!