I have been meaning to write about my new obsession for a while now, but until prompted from the folks at foobooz, I have yet to do so.
The topic at hand is the fantastic video game console, the Wii, and how I have willingly allowed it to steal hours and hours of my life over the last month.
Growing up, I was awoken in the summer months daily at 6:00 am to "SMB3- let's go."
My brother had a mission to beat super mario brothers and I was his accomplice. My favorite parts of the game were the ulimate one up factory and the ability to wear the tanooki suit! We indeed beat it multiple times (the one up factory helped with that) but after that summer I didn't play video games too too much...that all changed this fall with my introduction to the motion sensitive Wii.
This wireless motion sensitive console gets a 9.5 rating from game zone. It has been reviewed as, "Pure creative genius. There is no end to how far the Wii can go."
One of the multiple advantages of this is you can relive blasts from the pasts and play your favorite games of yesteryear on the Wii as well. You can play Legend of Zelda, and actually shoot the bow and arrow your very self!
Also, when you play the Wii, you make a Mii.
I could only hope to be as cute in this real deal life as my mii is. (think avatar) i am thinking about purchasing a solid brown dress, and cutting my hair to my shoulders...then there would be more similarities.
I certainly didn't want Saint Nick to bring me one... then I wouldn't be able to go to Jose Pistolas on my day off and play like I sometimes do.
My favorite game by far is bowling. One time I tried tennis, but I got too excited about my backhand, and woke up the next day feeling not so right. sometimes I do get bowlers arm, but I consider it the price I have to pay for this recreational ecstasy.
I have my own strategy. Its more of a manuever. I guess one might call it a gallop.
There's really no need to exert as much energy as I do, when bowling, but I try to make it a work out then I don't feel quite as guilty about my leisure time.
I have of course bowled with the best, Buddy my co worker, Jose Pistolas himself- Joe gunn- Fergie, Lance Romance, Happy Jen Hatton, and many more.
I did lose a bet to Lance, which in turn, ended up wasting precious wii time due to obligatory lost bet backscratching.
The photo on the left is Jennie, April and myself. Yes, I have gotten some of my girlfriends into it.
My highest score to date is a 168, which crushes my 115 at NorthBowl.
I could try to beat that any given Tuesday night at the new Jose Pistolas WII tournament night.
Come out, play wii and drink great beer (they currently have the Gold Medal winning Sly Fox pikeland PILS on) but come out early because the sign ups get filled up rather quiickly. 
Just look at that smile on April post-strike...see how happy a Wii can make you?
December 27, 2007
BREATHE, SLEEP, WORK, EAT, DRINK(beer), Wii AND MORE Wii
IPA Holiday T h r o w d o w n -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-Taps and Recaps
I have SOOO much to catch up on.
Tis the season to be too busy of a buzzing bee to blog....
I'll try my best to remember my ramblings...
Let's start with the In Pursuit of Ale Christmas party....
'Twas the night before the party
And all through the city
All pursuers were exicited
April was giddy
We got a stout and hung our decor about jb’s
We were most excited about the photo tree...
But there was no time for raves or rants
until We found our kissing plant
We looked high and low
Oh where could we find some mistletoe?
I was getting tired, a bit parched,
But we found our shrub at 3rd and arch!
The next day was I was hustling and bustling, trying to juggle work drop offs and last minute party pick ups.
It all came together and turned into an amazing night.
Johnny Brenda’s was beyond accommodating.
We raised just about $400 from the door and the raffle for the Parkinson's Foundation and Johnny Brenda’s made a donation as well. We certainly learned some valuable lessons about fundraising and party planning.
We had somewhere around 100 peeps come down to shake it down. The night turned into a craft beer dance party of sorts. We had the support of Iron Hill, Flying Fish, Troegs,
The taps were Flying Fish- Good Fish (IPA) Iron hill Winter Warmer, Sly Fox Christmas, Dock Street Rye I.P.A. and Troegs Troegonator Double Bock.
Mike Fava from
We had Brewers plate promoters video taping, we had the Get Arounds performing.
We had a bottle swap- complete with owner, William Reed's donation of a bottle of schmidts from the old brewery dating back to the early-mid eighties. We had dj deejay spinning some dance hits that the dames definitely delighted in.
If you are ever needing a venue for some private or corporate shindig. I highly recommend Johnny brenda’s. (frankford and girard) if you think it’s too far north, it’s right by the subway line, or a cab won’t be too much of a wallet wound.
Here are some more pics-=-=-
Seasons Greetings via the Golden Fox
Sly Fox brewed their classically complex Belgian-style Golden Ale, Renard d’Or, as a special treat and packaged it in a special 3-liter (jeroboam) for the holiday season. The limited edition jeroboams are available at both Sly Fox locations in Royersford and Phoenixville. There was a small number that made it out to tavern and distributor owners as our way of saying thanks for all your support.
Brewmaster Brian O'reilly describes his Renard d’Or as the perfect beer for deluxe year end treatment..."a big, spicy ale with a great nose and very distinctive flavor." The "Golden Fox" weighs in at 9% abv.
From Jack Curtin, "A jeroboam holds slightly more than three quarts of beer, or 3 liters, and is a popular size for champagnes (for Bordeaux wines, the same terminology is used for a larger, 4-liter bottle). Many wine bottles are named for Biblical kings and the jeroboam is named after the first king of the break-away ten tribes of Israel around 930BC. Jeroboam is famed for erecting two “golden calves,” or shrines, at the extremities of his kingdom, making the packaging of a golden ale under his name nicely harmonious.
I presented a jeroboam to both locations of the Foodery last week and conceived of the brilliant idea to do "deuling jeroboams" at the foodery Christmas party next month. Who's got the quicker throwback Pine or Popular? (Note: This is not meant to take away from the integrity of this delicious belgian style beer in any way.)Stay tuned to see if that actually happens.
December 18, 2007
Holiday throwdown @ Johnny Brendas -Come all ye FAITHFUL to the cure
IF YOU CLICK ON THE E-FLYER YOU CAN SEE IT BETTER :)
SO....
Next Wednesday is the 2nd annual holiday party for In Pursuit of Ale-
Philly's Women's beer club and a Benefit for the National Parkinsons Foundation.
We meet every two weeks around our city's watering holes and as much as we enjoy each other's company we love to branch out and see some new faces. Just think of it as another crazy night at Johnny Brenda's but supporting the National Parkinsons Foundation all the while.....
It's going to be an all out b o n a n z a
kicking things off with Philly local band, the Getarounds at 8!
NBC 10 will be there!
We'll have DJ dee Jay spinning for us later (of beatles vs. stones fame)!
We'll have a bottle swap..bring a bottle, take another one home...
We'll be playing some Rock Paper Scissors!
Raffling off some prizes- Gift certificates and a 3 liter bottle of MAD ELF and more!
Yummy food for Carnies and Veggies!
TV cameras!
All for $13 with optional donations for Parkinsons Throughout the night
Drinking great local craft beer for a mere $3 a pint from our friends at Flying Fish, Sly Fox, Iron hill, Troegs, and Dock St.
All proceeds go to the parkinson's Foundation in memory of the Beer Hunter, Michael Jackson.
I'm still trying to find a drunk santa for great photo opps! Any volunteers?
Did I mention NBC 10 will be there???????
December 17, 2007
sunday @SONAM
I owed Lance dinner for taking me and my lady friends home from our suburban pub crawl.
(Of course we missed the last train @ 10:30 leaving Malvern)
Lance and I always eat at restaurants with liquor licenses or bars so i can mix business with pleasure, but every once in a while, we find ourselves at a byo, with beer and wine in tow.
We wanted to check out Cochon but they are closed on Sundays. (as many byos are)
So we ended up at Sonam. South Streets newest ByO pitching their cuisine as "Global Dim Sum."
The chap was worried that we wouldn't find something to pair with is 2000 Chianti.
He was indeed right. The wine had taken a turn for the way worse and was more likened to a port than a chianti.
So we kept the beveraging to a minimum and simply split an '06 Orval.
We got to pick from an array of funky small plates.
Sonam has only been open a mere two weeks so I was anxious to snap some shots, but alas my hewlett packard failed me once again.
I attempted to use Lance's iPhone as a back up but the pics didn't turn out to great-thus, I am only posting this one of our deconstructed French Onion soup.
I am still not certain how I feel about deconstruction culinary techniques overall, but this particular selection was great.
There was a truffle creamed onion soup on one side garnished with a black truffle and a broth based onion soup with shitake and chanterelle mushrooms on the other side. The Chef /owner came out to chat with us and recommended we dip into the cream first, then the broth before taking a spoonful.
He also let us know he was the only BYO that carried glassware considerate of all beverages...beer, sake, wine, etc...
Post soup we had...
*Wild Boar Tartare
*Crazy Rice Noodles with Fois Gras, Caviar and Truffle Oil
*Smores- but a switch up on the traditional campfire treat....they consisted of Goat cheese Marshmallows, fig Reduction, and Wheat Crackers
*Wontons with Chicken, Butternut Squash and sage cream froth
We enjoyed everything but still wanted a few more bites of something so we opted to add on the
"Chops and Chips" Lamb chops and Sweet Potato Fries.
I immediately thought about what I wanted to order the next time I came back..
My friend Art agreed with me that that's the best compliment you can give to a place.
Lance always needs a little sweet treat, so we headed over to Xochitl by Head house sq.
We enjoyed specialty hot chocolates.
Mine had a special Spanish Vanilla Liqueur...which reminded me of an upsell on Tuaca.
He opted for a grilled Pineapple and I opted for an apple fritter of sorts.
I say "of sorts" because it wasn't quite a fritter.
It was a crispy tortilla.
I kind of wanted a fritter.
so I was a tad bummed.
But I really enjoyed myself nonetheless.
Their beer selection was limited, and crazily enough they had Golden Monkey on tap.
also- Xochitl started a three course $35 experience on Sunday nights.
My friend Bob is behind the bar and is guaranteed to start your week off right.
December 13, 2007
RibaFriA is the new Gouda.
Last Thursday there was a slew of activities in the city for beer lovers.
options. options.
I would have either thrown on my cape and transformed into superwoman attempting to make it to all of the events, or I would have to ini-mini-miney-mo it.
Lucky for me, Lance hadn't been to a Dibruno brothers beer and cheese pairing event yet...so we found ourselves at 17th and Chestnut. The other event would have been the TRIA fermentation school led by don russel and jon Myerow (tria owner and super swell guy).
Rogue was the featured brewery that night, and Roguester Sebbie Buhler was teaming up with Hunter Fike to teach the crowd a thing or two.
They featured the following beers--=
Juniper Pale Ale
Morimoto Black Obi Soba Ale
Santa's Private Reserve
Chipotle Ale (this beer has a smoked jalepeno infusion)
Rogue Dead Guy
Chocolate Stout
My favorite pairing was the Chipotle Ale with the Ribafria.
Riba what? I had never heard of this cheese.
The Ribafria is a rather unique Portugese Goat cheese which is encased with crushed peppercorns. I am a freak for peppercorns...so this made my still dwelling Feliz Navidad hangover finally fade away.
The events are $45 dollars and usually take place once a month on First Fridays.
i believe their next event is towards the end of January, with DogFish Head.
This is a cute little rogue guy that sebbie gave lance so he never has to drink by himself. again.
December 10, 2007
Eating up a Winter Storm
Twas yet another week of gluttony for this gobbling gal.
As I sat down to recall my week in eats, I could pinch the ever-growing roll in my midsection.
But, I must say, it was totally worth it.
Last Tuesday, I met Lance at Brigids where we thoroughly enjoyed the Jan De Lichte. An Imperial Belgian Wit hittin' 7.5 on the abv scale.
They use four grains beer: barley, wheat, oats and buckwheat. They also add the quintessential coriander.
It was freakin good. So good, I even ordered two and I never double dose on the same beer at Brigids.
We wanted to check out the fairly new Urban Saloon for din din. I saw that they had funky twists on bar food on the menu...We went on a detour to Illuminare. 
An upscale Italian restaurant specializing in wood oven pizzas right on Fairmount. I've never been there before...But Lance had some nice things to say.
A bubbly young lady, Molly, that I met at Jose Pistolas told me to come in since she worked there.
She also told me that she would "hook me up" If I in turn "hooked her up."
Their beer selection is borderine non-existent. We ordered a Harpoon winter warmer and it was loaded with diacetyl..so we switched up to wine. We moved on to our original destination, but they stopped serving food right before we got there. We still stayed- I sipped on a Sly Fox Christmas and we were off.
We went next door to Jack's Firehouse...where Lance could get his favorite Butter cake (still made by the owner's mom), wash it down with Bourbon and I ordered a 113 IPA.
Then we called it quits. The Jose Pistolas Feliz Navidad dinner was the next night.
It was hosted by Casey and the two Joes. Joe Gunn (Senor Pistolas himself) and award-winning beer writer, Joe 6 pack, Don Russell. Don made it a point to talk about christmas traditions throughout the night. Detailing Belgian customs before one course, and telling the story of Good St. Nick before another. (above photo courtesy of john taggert)
There was quite the line up of beer. Upon entry, you were handed a glasses of Sly Fox Christmas Ale. We make a red ale then add a mulling mix...consisting of Ginger, nutmeg, clove, allspice and cinnamon. I think it's pretty well balanced...The essence of spice is there, but you're not choking on cinnamon.
Other beers included Samiclaus Helles, the St. Bernardus christmas, Delirium Noel, Scaldis Noel, affligem noel and George Gale's 2001 Christmas Ale.
Chef Issac did a heck of a job in the kitchen at night! they surpisingly switched it up from their tex mex jawn, and had a wonderful variety.
First course was a Goat Cheese and Beet Salad garnished with some yellow beets and pistachios.
I didn't care for beets as a Child, and now I seek them out. Other highlights include a seared duck breast, a chicken roulade stuffed with a chorizo cornmeal stuffing, a cheese course, a intermezzo of mango sorbet garnished with a ganache covered chili pepper. It was the ramble of the room for at least ten minutes. We finished things off with a chocolate rum cake.
The dinner was sold out, with chompers including George hummel and his leading lady Nancy, Tom, Fergie, and a whole bunch of Monks crew. 
As the night came to and end, Fergies wife, Christine asked Jose Pistolas owner Casey Parker to do his rendition of "Somewhere over the Rainbow" Last year around this time, Casey did the same thing at Fergies house in front of the Christmas tree with the fire cracklin' in the background. It was one of those magical moments.
He completed her request with all the soul of his performance last year.
It was like being at a Christmas pageant-So Then Joe had to share his talent....he shared a comical anecdote about the time a circus Lion peed on casey as he was getting ready to go on his second date with his girlfriend. The story never gets old. 
I felt a little old the next day, when I had to babysit my nephew over lunch. My sis was getting her hair done, so I figured I would take a break from the beer world and take Tanner to Johnny Rockets . Note: there are no pics of JR's cuisine for a good reason. He wouldn't stop screaming for anything until our kind server gave him ketchup in the shape of a smiley face... He also thought lance was trying to steal his balloon and stroller. Lance wasn't going to let the terrible two year old win out...so they had it out sort of...let' s just say Lance won't be babysitting with me again any time soon.
December 8, 2007
the dunkel is coming...the dunkel is coming
We canned Dunkel Lager on Wednesay at the Sly Fox in Royersford where we do all our production for distribution.
These cans are one of my favorite things in the world.
We were the first brewery in the mid-atlantic to can craft beer, using a Cask system out of Alberta, Canada.
We've had great success with the cans, but there are still naysayers once in a while...that can't grasp "good beer can come out of a can."
So, why cans?
As brewmaster, Brian O'reilly stated in a 2006 interview with Jack Curtin, "It's convenient. It takes up less space. Cans have the benefit of chilling down quicker and they don't allow any light to touch the beer, so consumers never get "skunked" beer from a reaction of the alpha acids in the hops to changing light from the sun or artificial sources.
I hope you find them for purchase at your favorite distributor and enjoy them yourself.
It will also be available on tap in a couple of weeks.
A little background....
-Dunkel means "Dark" in German.
This is a delicious bavarian style lager with roasted malts and bavarian hops weighing in around 5.3% abv.
Think bratwurst, venison, meatballs....
December 7, 2007
Call Me For A Good Time
Email: beerlass@gmail.com
Twitter: @beerlass
beer buddies, foodie friends, and other linkable loves
- 215 -philly's last mag
- Ale Street News
- Appellation Beer
- Bathtub Brewery- a homebrew blog
- Beer Advocate
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- Finding Philly
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- foodaphilia
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- Good Dog
- Home Sweet Homebrew
- In Pursuit of Ale's myspace
- iron hill
- Joe Six Pack
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- Jose P's!
- Keystone Home Brew
- Kite and KEY
- Larry-s Blog- Iron Hill North Wales
- Liquid Diet Online-
- MEAL TICKET: City Paper's New Food and Bev Blog
- Midtown Village
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- Philadelphia Brewing co.
- Philadelphia exBEERiment
- Philadelphia Will do
- Philebrity- A little bit of the Onion in our own city
- Philly beer GEEK
- Philly BeerAHOLIC
- Phoodie
- PHOODIE
- PW
- RAH BEE'S- thoughts on food and beer
- Seen through a Glass
- Shmitten Kitten
- Side Car
Sip and Spend a la SANTAFEST
sip and spend.
I love drinking a lot more than shopping, many people would say the opposite for themselves.
But what if the two activities were blended?
A hybrid event with great beers and buys abound!
aha!
S a n t a f e s t !
Sugar Mom's tomorrow 1-6.
Support local artisans of Traveling Wares.
Drink Beer, buy a scarf, run into old friends, make new ones that make great jewelry and clothes.
Sounds like a dream come true.
for me and you.
I will be there sometime between 3 and 5.
Here are the beers-=-=-
Sly Fox Christmas 2007
HEavy Seas winterstorm
Sierra Nevada Celebration
Lancaster winter
Founders Dirty Bastard (scotch Ale)
And if that wasn't enough....Philadelphia Brewing Co's Chris Morris aka the Enabler is organizing this....so ....see you between 1 and 6.
December 4, 2007
a New Baby friendly BRUNCH!
There seems to be an increasing amount of activities for Urban parents these days, popular options being "Baby Loves Disco" at Shampoo or Tattoo Mom's Craft Sundays.
Now, here's another one...
you can bring your wee one and his or her favorite toys to the downstairs room at the yello'bar and enjoy yourself some eggs bene every Sunday.
What a dream, the tot's got Bob the Builder in tow, you get two Bloody Mary's in a row, and have the best of both worlds.
Plus, they have a varied beer selection, featuring everything from Avery one-offs and Chimay Blue, to local loves like Troegs Mad Elf.
Every Sunday from 11 till 3.
Catherine and Grey's Ferry.
TV's upstairs if you need a ball break.
Saturday Pouring leads to Sunday Snoring-the R5 HOP!
I had the Holiday Hop on my to do list forever.
But for most of those who know me my "to do" list is very long.
Neglected items include:
local intentions-- like I really want to eat Polish food in Port Richmond,
continental intentions- like I really want to do a beer tour of Michigan, and international as well.....who hasn't been to Belgium yet?
This gal.
But the Holiday hop seemed pretty doable. SEPTA wouldn't give us a discount, but I got over it. They were helpful as they assisted me in figuring out what the total dollar amount would be to hop on and off the R5 all day.
$18.
We would leave suburban station at 2:45 for Rosemont (Gulliftys)
Hop back on to go to Wayne (Teresa's Next Door), then over to Paoli (TJ's EVERYDAY), then wrapping things up in Malvern (flying high at the Flying Pig.)
I thought I could rouse a crowd from my ladies In Pursuit of Ale....but the turnout was pretty small admittingly. My fear is they were in pursuit of Christmas presents instead.
But the ladies that were in tow were meeting regulars, and I knew we were going to have a good time.
The r5 Holiday Hop starred:
Lisa Grimm-
Archeologist and Potentially certified beer judge (awaiting test results) mom and loving wife of Haverford, whom had her honeymoon in Belgium.
Bronwyn Perlee-
In Pursuit of Ale enthusiast with a passion for IPAs and good vegetarian food.
Can often be found cruising Philadelphia on her bicycle, or walking her pup, javier.
Also a strong competitor in the Philadelphia PBR rock paper scissors championship series, competing under the pseudonym Newbie.
April Reynolds- IPA beer club vice president, writer and editor of technical stuff I don't
understand, mom to Milkies the cat with special needs, Los Angeles transplant and most importantly the 23rd ranked Rock, Paper, Scissors strategist in Philadelphia.
Suzanne Woods- the disappointed presiding drinker, that eventually got over lack of attendance, and enjoyed herself.
With a cooler bag loaded with Sly fox pils and pale, we jumped on the at Suburban Station and got a head start wetting our whistlers. We officially started at Gullifty's by Bryn Mawr. They won "Best Beer list for the Main Line 2006," but I believe the majority of their interesting offerings are on their bottle list. I know that they get a huge college crowd in there, so many of their drafts are the usual suspects. April and I drank Corsendonk Christmas, which I have seen on quite a few towers in the past two weeks. I enjoyed it...It's got a nice anise character with it, without being too spicy. But Gullifty's served it by the pint, which was a bit much. Bronwyn and Lisa sipped on a Green Flash IPA from San Diego. Loaded with Hops- Columbus, Simcoe, Cascade and Centennial.
We hopped on to Wayne. Teresa's next door has been the recipient of some pretty nice reviews as of late. Most recently, Craig Laban acknowledging TND's nod to Philadelphia gastropubs and upscale beer bars. As soon as we stepped foot in Wayne, April Annie knew that she was on the right side of the tracks. 
She screamed with glee, 'I love Wayne." Now, donning a Sly Fox sticker, she took advantage of Wayne's festive outdoor scene and we snapped a pic.
Once in TND, the pub crawl picked up some pals. My beer buddy John met us there as did our other beer buddies, 
Steve and Beer YARD head honcho Matt Guyer. This was a pleasant surprise. We had a hell of a time at Teresa's and if we didn't have some sort of schedule to maintain...we would have stayed there a lot longer. Ted and the other bar staff were quite welcoming. They had a great draft and bottle list there, and one of the most impressive glassware selections I have seen.
Throughout the trip we had a scavenger hunt of sorts to accomplish....I took Christmas carols and turned them into a beer hunt of sorts. The ever-competitive April was up to the challenge. I think by the evening end, she had accomplished every task.
So we sipped on some Saison Dupont. Then we could cross 1. off.
I couldn't get my mind off the oak-aged Yeti
since I saw it on the sign out front. I was just at the Great Divide brewing co. in October, so I was a bit nostalgic. I wasn't too hungry, but I thought it might be fun to pair up the Yeti with some cheese. I went with the Old Smoke, a smoked soft triple creme Goat cheese. It was nice, but in restrospect, I think the Aged Gouda may have been the preferred pairing. Maybe I'll get to try that next time I'm at Teresa's next door, which should be soon, because I just really like this place. I also got the opportunity to check out the coolers, and they are immaculate. They actually dug out part of the basement so they head enough height to the room for proper storage.
As hard as it was to leave, I knew that we had more friends waiting for us at TJ's everyday in Paoli. There we picked up a few guys from Origlio, Jim and Trevor, Brian from the Brew Lounge, his delightful wife Patty, and my own Lance romance. Here, April would continue to work on crossing tasks off here list. She ordered a JW Lees Harvest 2001 Barleywine. Let's just say it wasn't her all time favorite. She has come a long way from her dirty Hoes of yesteryear....but she wasn't having this. I gave her the cliche "e" for effort and let her cross it off her list even though she didn't finish it. I was drinking the Allagash Curieux, which I have drank at both South Philly Tap Room and Tria a few times. It's a triple from Allagash, aged in Jim Beam barrels and It's dangerously delicious. They also had the Foret Organic Saison, Founders Dirty Bastard, Dupont Winter Saison on draft. Jeff, the owner, in anticipation of our visit made sure he had loads of good beer to keep our interest. They were as gracious as gracious gets. TJ's was open for a few years before Jeff decided to make the spot craft-centric. He has done a great job of revamping the list and developing relationships with breweries and importers to get some of the most special stuff out in the market.
He does a variety of events at the bar, most are listed on www.beeryard.com
Here, things switch up a bit. We broke up with Septa. And let our friend drive us who hadn't be drinking. The only reason for this is we were onward to the fabulous Flying Pig
and knew that it would be a struggle to get out of there in time to make the last train back at 10:30.
So we stayed, April made a friend and even bought him a beer. The Flying Pig had a great list as always. Steve the owner, actually had been self-cellaring a 2006 Nice Chouffe, a belgian dark ale brewed with spices and curacao.. It aged rather nicely. I would head there sooner than later and see if there is still some around.
So all in all....the day was a success we thoroughly enjoyed the company of all our joiners throughout the jaunt.
Not sipping on anything lower that 7% abv throughout the day besides the SF cans was probably not the grandest of ideas. Sunday came and went-- And not too much was accomplished. But just like I said when it was Groundhog's day at the Grey lounge, thank goodness certain things are merely annual events. I guarantee you the Holiday hop will be reserved for the first Saturday in December, and that first Saturday only. Because the Saturday boozing leads to sunday snoozin! And we can't have that ;)
Here's cheers to a joyful Holiday season, great beers, and the best of people to enjoy them with.
Thanks to Bryan of the Brew Lounge for the above photo.
December 3, 2007
"you scratch my back, and I'll give you a 60 minute massage"
Best Friends are for confiding, nacho-sharing, new "special friend" reviews, and, well, favors.
A few months ago, my best friend, Johnny called upon me to get a splinter out of his foot...as he detailed on his website, www.johnnygoodtimes.com, that's www.johnnygoodtimes.com. 
I owed Johnny big time for a bunch of stuff over the years...so I was more than happy to assist with the operation. I actually almost feel bad calling on him for favors until he gets a few more splinters I can tweeze out of his feet.
But I was stuck big time the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, and there was only one dude to save this damsel. (Lance was working). I kind of felt like his favor for me was a bigger favor then my for him. Like instead of "you scratch my back and i'll scratch yours" It was more like "you scratch my back, and I'll give you a 60 minute massage.
I went to Target to pick up a few things. I needed plastic cups for a sampling and some special wrappings for a raffle prize for Good Dog. I was frazzled by something while parking and mistakingly locked my keys in my car. YIKES! Granted, I am clutzy from time to time, okay all the time, and I leave things behind here, and there, okay everywhere....but one thing I am almost o.c.d. about is making sure I don't lock my keys in my car.
I had Jose Pistolas keys from locking up the night before in my coat pocket...so when I went to do the double check, I felt keys, and just assumed they were the suzaru's. Nope. They had fallen in my frazzlement and there was big trouble off of columbus blvd.
I found a security guard right away and he gave me the news that cops don't carry around "slim Jims" to open cars anymore. He gave me a few points of advice..
1) call a buddy with Triple A
2) Call a tow truck
3) call a locksmith (he said this would be the most expensive option)
None of my Triple A friends were available- (now Lance is getting me Triple A for christmas- woo hoo). I hate Tow Trucks-(enough said) and I didn't want to go the locksmith route...it would have taken to much time and legal tender.
I called Johnny, and we brainstormed. He asked me if I had my electronic opening device.
I didn't. but it wasn't locked with the keys in my car. Oh no it wasn't. I knew exactly where it was--It was in my black purse on the top shelf behind my bedroom door! Perfect. Wait-but my house keys were on my car keys. and they are in my car. Oh- but we can get my room mates keys!
SO....plan goes into action!
Johnny goes to Bob and Barbara gets house key from roommate Steve bartending.
Goes into my bedroom (this was a bit weird but I did take a splinter out of his foot)
gets my electronic opening device and goes to Target.
and saves the day. again.
This takes place over two hours, so of course, Target got more of my moolah while I waited.
But that's okay.
Part of the extra expenditure at Target included these Archer Farms cookies.
Double chocolate chip, and one was oatmeal raisin with craisins as well.
I took advantage of the buy 3 for $1.15 deal.
I figured I could begin thanking Johnny with a cookie. he gladly accepted, but only wanted one.
That means two delectable bits of gooey goodness for the damsel.
To wash it down I had an Appalachian root Beer that I stole from Lance. 
It was so delicious. I called the 717 number to try and see where it was available for purchase in these parts, and as happy as they were to hear of my new affinity, they said I could only get it in harrisburg. So I'll just have to brew my own ....I already went to Home Sweet Homebrew and picked up my supplies!
GOODBYE BOTANICAL WONDERLAND...you have fared me well
Henry David Thoreau considered "nature his church. He once stated -simply yet wisely,
"Not only must we be good,
but we must also be good for something."
Well I guess some people are good at destroying his place of worship- right here on clarion st.
At 1149 Clarion spanned a 1/2 block garden, Naamah's Refuge,where Clarion residents would take their turns pulling weeds and planting flowers, but building a community all the while.
I would stroll through it on my way to work every Monday, Tuesday and Sunday back in the day. I called it my "botanical wonderland."
It wasn't "secret" but it was magical. After 40 ft. of birds chirping, water trickling and black eyed susan's bursting, everything was right in the world.
I hadn't been a pedestrian as much as I like or should be lately, as the subaru is my magic carpet of choice. (I am also not allowed to complain about packed on calories if this is my status quo.)
The other day I went to check it out and to my dismay the garden was all but gone. I knew we had some bad weather lately, but this looked like the work of mankind and not mother nature.
I got the whole scoop from neighbor and Clarion st. computer expert Tom that they indeed tore down the Naamah's Refuge to build new houses...ironically, the garden was originally created after the city demolished two houses that were neglected by their owners in 1997. The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society awarded the garden first place, four consecutive years.
I am truly disappointed. I wondered if Dorothy was this sad when she said good bye to her yellow brick road...
And as much as I like having neighbors (they sign for your UPS packages when you aren't home), I don't think these new residents are going to get a case of Sly Fox. Not even a Pie.
