My Commentary Page.....

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My Commentary Page.....

This will change from time to time depending on what I am doing at the time. Anything is game on this page, one day it may be photos and the next day be full of worthless information. Call it my BBS to post my thoughts and feelings to the world.

THE REAL BEER PAGE: Is another of the excellent reference sites for the true Beer Lover. Links to Brewery's, Importers, Critics, ...etc. You need to know about it and it has to do with Beer - you'll probably find it here.

Mediccopcom's Choice Beer of the Moment

BEER AND TRAVEL

Over the past couple years I have encountered a couple choice brews to share:

SHRINER BOCK (texas)

Brewed not too far from San Antonio, TX. A delightful American made Bock beer that has great body, nice refreshing start and a wonderful full hoppy finish. Thick enough to know its a quality craft brew but light enough to please most who choose to taste it.

SCRUMPY JACK HARD CIDER (Ireland)

While en route home from Saudi Arabia, the Charter Aircraft made a stop at Shannon Airport in Ireland. What a break for me, not only did I have a chance to have a pint or three of Guiness fresh from the Brewery (its true -Guiness doesn't travel well over the ocean) as it tasted better there than any that I have had outside the country of its origin... But I also had the chance to try this absolutely delightful Hard Cider. Not particularly fond of the ever so common Woodchuck I am always looking for a new cider. SCUMPY JACK is the best I've ever had - nice crisp apple taste without the sickly sweet of the american Ciders. If it where a champagne I would have to call it a mix between Brut and Sec - simply put just totally refreshing. Needless to say after a few pints of this great beverage - the 8 hour flight across the ocean packed in like sardines on the Gov't Charter L1011 wasn't nearly as bad as it was on the way to the desert.

BECKS ALCOHOL FREE

Hey, there is no alcohol allowed in the muslem countrys such as Saudi Arabia so when you find yourself needing a fix - give this one a go! It doesn't have that nasty molasas finish and aftertaste of most every other Alcohol Free Brew I have tasted. Just be careful driving or walking home - eventhough its not even .01% ETOH by volume it still has that wonderful Diuretic Effect its alcoholic brother has - but somewhat quicker!

Craft Brew of Choice:

Emperor Norton Lager - Amber lager

About 5.5 - 7.0%

Distinctive malt character dominates the full, rounded flavors of Emperor Norton Lager. The rich blend of lightly roasted malts creates a unique, smooth taste. Emperor Norton Lager is named after San Francisco's legendary Emperor Norton, self proclaimed Emperor of the United States. Always on tap.

Mass Produced Good Beer of Choice:

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is a delightful example of the classic pale ale style. It has a deep amber color and a exceptionally full-bodied, complex character. The fragrant bouquet and spicy flavor are the results of the generous use of the best Cascade hops.

Alcohol Content: 5.6% by volume Bittering Hops: Perle
Beginning Gravity: 13 Plato Finishing Hops: Cascade
Ending Gravity: 2.8 Plato Malts: Two-row Barley Malt
Yeast: Top Fermenting Ale Yeast Caramel Malt

Import Highlight

CHIMAY BLUE (Belgium)
Named Grande Reserve, it is principally distinguished by its character of a strong beer. This is a beer whose odour of fresh yeast with a light, flowery rosy touch is especially pleasant. Its flavour, noticed when tasting it, only accentuates the pleasant sensations perceived in the aroma, while revealing a light but pleasant touch of roasted malt. This top fermented Trappist beer, refermented in the bottle, is not pasteurised. As such I recomend experimenting with a technique used with fine wines - thats to let it lie for a while. With proper skill this beer shall only get better with age.

Chimey - Belgiums Finest Trappist Brew

Mr. Jackson is one of several critics whom I consider to be one of the best. I have not been led astray when following his advise. This site is excellent if your looking for quality reviews of Brewery's and their products. Warning: recently he developed a Beer Club - it allows you further discussion on individual beers and will sell you a membership (It is a marketing ploy which I am sorry to see him use) Anyway - I am not a member nor am I receiving a kickback on the banner. Just a link to good information

Observations In General

If anyone thinks that life in the Midwest is fast paced or that we drive wrecklessly - Visit California!!! If that don't change your mind, you should move there - you will fit right in.......

Misc Info (as promised)

January 2003

As I sit in my Billeting Room in Tennesse, at I.G. Brown National Guard Training Center at McGhee-Tyson Air Base, I am thinking about everything thats happened in the last year that has brought me here. I am attending the Air National Guard NREMT - Instructor School and the more I think about it I am beginning to feel like I have found a career in which I am happy. Pre-Hospital Medicine is on the edge of breaking technology and is just beginning its next evolution as society is just beginning to recognize the skills and abilities that Paramedics provide. We are the experts in emergency medicine, we bring the hospital to the patient. As such, we bring most of the SAME Life Saving techniques and medications that are used in the Emergency Room and at Trauma Centers. Our skills exceed those of Registered Nurses and many Physicians in many cases - we are the Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine Specialists. Yes, next time you are at the Doctors office ask the nurse or your doctor when the last time they used any of their ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) skills to save a life.... I can tell you exactly when the last time I did it was and how many times I used those skills last year too (more than your doc I bet - Unless they also work in an Emergency Department in which case all bets off. I make a difference everyday of everyweek - Civilian or Military - I see the impact of my work on the lives of those I come in contact with and its a good thing with positive outcomes.... Yes, life is better and the future is bright....

GAS PRICES !!!!!!!!!

November 2004 - Back at Y2K Unleaded 87 Octane was $1.80/gal in Michigan, $2.10/gal in California, and $1.30/gal in Texas. Three years later its about $1.45/gal in Michigan, $1.35/gal in Texas, and $1.29/gal in Tennessee. Now at the end of 2004 a gallon of Regular Unleaded is costing 5 cents on either side of $2.00/gal pretty much all over Michigan. One thing that I have always wondered about is how much money are the Oil Companies spending each year to keep the Auto Giants in Detroit from releasing the Gasoline Engines that get 60+ miles to the gallon. It took an Foreign Auto maker to release the Hybrid Gas/Electric Car that gets 45 - 60 MPG - but you notice that they also hiked the price up by 10-20 Thousand Dollars so they can afford to keep the Oil Companies from getting too rowdy! Heck, I am just tickled pink that my '92 Grand Am is still averaging 28mpg on the average - even with saving $$ with that great fuel economy I can't seem to save enough $ to even think about replacing it - so long as the rust don't take over I'll be safe for a bit longer.

Thought of the Day

STRESS: The Body's automatic reaction that prevents one from choking the crap out of some worthless sap of a creature that desperately deserves it.

AND

"who lit the fuse on your tampon today?"

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