Thursday, March 31, 2011

Brew Dog Hardcore IIPA

I was up a few minutes early but only after a lot of tossing and turning during my last couple hours of sleep. I woke angry from a dream where two of my brothers, Tom & Glenn, were using my boat and sunk it. What really got me was that they exhibited little to no remorse for bringing about such peril, basically walking away almost like, oh well! My dad had to help me resurrect it from the river’s bottom only to discover the hull was also broken almost in two. I remained angry even in my woken state. Kind of silly thinking about it now.
I headed downstairs and started my routine in earnest. The snow from Wednesday was still covering the ground. After sit-ups, I discovered that it was only 25 degrees, but expected to make it up to 42 my mid-day (way below average). I busted out 55 push-ups before pouring some coffee. My right wrist had a pinch in it again. The push-ups didn’t help. Ouch! After enjoying a few brief minutes with coffee I leashed up Frankie and headed out back for a walk in the snow. Even amongst the snow cover, she managed to sniff out some goose poop. It really gets me angry watching her eat that crap. More often than not, I give her a good yank. She finally took care of business, but we’d been out there for more than ten minutes. What ever happened to the out and done thing?
Inside, it was already 605a. I hurried through a meditation and stretch routine faster than I would’ve preferred. I then poured and delivered a cup of coffee to Mindy, who was already mid-shower. Back downstairs to prepare for my run. I dressed in full winter attire. Going by looks alone, it could just as easily have been mid-January.
The front stoop was a little slick. I had to be careful. I ran the full 4.1 miles in what seemed like no time at all. I was lost so deep in thought that I had to think hard to remember the previous couple miles. I love it when that happens. I returned home to start the Honda. I checked the garbage can. Still full. Trash dude must’ve been running late. Inside, Mindy had my eggs ready and waiting. Jacob argued about not wanting to wear a winter coat again. Mindy had to put the hammer down. It was still really cold.
Mindy shared that she had a dental appointment right after school, but still hoped to be home in time to intercept the kids from the bus. I felt a tad bad because I talked her out of calling and asking my dad to help. We call him all the time for such tasks. I asked Mindy if she had the jogging stroller loaded for Karianne. She did. Figured out how to collapse it on her own (small obscure button on one side). Mindy left for school near 730a.
The kids were playing Wii basketball when I headed up for a shower. I noticed that Bella hadn’t yet brushed her teeth or made her bed. I went to the balcony and reminded her. She promised to address both while I readied for work.
I was back downstairs by 750a. With the few minutes I had ahead of bus stop time, I prepped my lunch. That was made easier than usual since Mindy prepped a salad for me the night before. Thanks dear! The kids and I headed out the door at 757a. Jacob harassed Bella with snow balls the entire time. He could use a little bullying back. He didn’t get too out of hand, though. The bus pulled up on time. Chrissy and I chatted only briefly before she headed back to her place.
Frankie and I walked more out front. She peed. I had the Trooper warming as I headed back inside. I made quick work of gathering my gear and running the dishwasher. I wore my brand new fleece to work. I left the house at 810a.
I found it humorous that this was opening day for baseball and the Cincinnati Reds. Not sure they had the same snow on the ground we had but I’m sure it was chilly just the same. I arrived at work around 825a and in my office a few minutes later.
I was very busy through the entire day. I didn’t leave for lunch, turning down an invite to dine out with my boss and peer. Instead, I closed my door for about 50 minutes some time just after 1p and did some writing. That felt really good. I ate my packed salad, cheese and fruit too. The salad was really tasty. Mindy sprinkled chopped ham and feta cheese over top. Yum-yum.
Mindy called just as I was leaving work. She shared how her dental appointment went as well as how the kids arrived home before her. Luckily, Chrissy’s father-in-law, Bill, took them home with him when he picked up Makayla. It was a kidless Thursday. Jimaken had already picked up the kids. Mindy asked about dinner out or in. I recommended staying in since we’d be out and at a concert Friday night (Todd Rundgren).
Ashley beeped in as we talked. I called her back as soon as Mindy and I hung up. Ashley said that it was actually Olivia who called to chat, but she had just left on a walk with her daddy. We chatted only briefly. She said every thing is going OK. At home, Mindy asked again about dinner. I asked what she’d prefer to do. She wanted to go out and recommended Barley’s, especially since we had another gift certificate, this one compliments of Karianne, a gift for giving her our jogging stroller. I acquiesced.
We arrived at Barley's around 630p. We squeezed into a couple stools available at the bar and next to a couple familiar faces, Kurt & Tom. As I perused the beer menu, Janet brought to light that they had Centennial back on the tower. That made my decision easy. One of those for me please. Mindy eventually settled on a St Joan's Nitro. I tasted my Centennial with some trepidation. Sadly, these days one never knows if it will be good or bad. Never consistent. I deemed this batch good, however! Yippie!
We ordered food. I ordered the Thursday special, reuben and fries. Mindy ordered the roasted half chicken. Kurt, sitting next to me, ordered a bottled guest IPA, Brew Dog Hardcore IIPA. Said it's incredibly good. Gave me a sample. Wow. He's right. Strong citrus, pine, floral aroma and an equally strong flavor. I asked for one as well. It comes in a 22oz rocket. Most surprising is that it's brewed in Scotland. Granted, Great Britain is the home of IPA, but their version is typically maltier and less hoppy than the American IPA's I've come to love. This one is the exception. Yummy!
As we finished up dinner and me my second beer, we got to sharing the story of catching Bella in bed with a vibrating back massager. Said she was massaging her stiff/injured leg. By then there were just a few patrons in the bar, and each one was listening/laughing. By the way, that same night, Mindy busted her playing with her DS in bed too. We had to hurry settling up our bar tab. It was darn near 8p. The kids would be home any minute. Sure enough, Jacob phoned during our drive home asking of our whereabouts. A mile out, we shared.
We arrived home just a minute or two ahead of 8p. We all four gathered in the familyroom where we quickly tuned in to Idol elimination night. The hour went fast. The evening's guest musician was Fantasia, a former Idol winner. Her normal talking voice scares me a little, drives me up a wall, like nails on a chalk board. Her singing voice, however, is powerful and strong. It looks like she's eaten a couple past contestants though, and she wears a hot dog bun on her head.
I wasn't surprised that Thia was one of the two sent packing. I was hoping the 2nd would be Paul, but guessed it would be country boy, Scottie. I was wrong. It was Naima (pronounced ny-eema), the exotic looking reggae girl. Paul and Scottie will be the next two to go. The kids headed to bed after Idol. It was 9p. Mindy & I started watching the next Fox show, Mobbed, but I fell asleep probably about 25-30 minutes into it. Don't remember if I headed to bed with Mindy or slightly after. In any case, I was in bed sometime near 10p.

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