Friday, January 06, 2006

Flava

You nay recall a few weeks ago that I was in the final stages of the 'meading process' and that soon the sweet nectar MIGHT be ready, that is, if I didn't completely fuck it up. Well, it seems that I did not fuck it up and the results are here for all to see. Behold! I give you Bag End Strawberry Mead.



"How much does it cost?" you ask. Foolish mortal! You cannot buy ambrosia, the food of the gods! But if you beg on bent knee (or just stand near me long enough) I will likely whip out a bottle in the way proud parents enjoy inflicting endless photos of their progeny on complete strangers.

I am told by people with palletes that would know that it is extremely drinkable, if not , in fact tasty. I like my mead sweet and this fulfill my tastes well. Your milage may vary. I am hoping that I can make another batch this February, provided Grimm is willing to hold my hand again. I cannot thank him anough for his help and advice. If you're thinking of making mead I recommend it highly, if only because you might get to set up a contraption that looks this cool in your kitchen (at least for a little while):

Thursday, January 05, 2006

War is Peace - Ingorance is Strength

It seems that a white-as-wonder-bread average Joe who just happened to have written an Anti-Bush book now finds himself on the TSA 'No Fly' list. This is a list you can't get off of. This is a list with between 35 and 80 thousand names on it. You cannot sue to find out how you got on this list. Yes, it might all just be a misunderstanding. Might just be a glitch in the computer. No reason to get bent out of shape, is there? Unless it was you on that list.

Are we paying attention yet?

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

Score!

Rossana and I took a trip today to the Goodwill. Rossana hates paying retail and there are sometimes good deals to be had. I did not expect she'd get the goddamn trifecta. First she finds a hat that will be perfect for our upcomming trip. Cost? 99 cents. I just paid over 60 bucks for a genuine Tilly Hat. That's the most I've ever spent for a hat. But it's from Canada, and it has a secret pocket and is guaranteed against damage and loss. If I am killed by insane Jihadists, my hat will go on. She then goes on to find a travel pack for four bucks.

I find a very soft jacket that is medium weight. This thing will make a great pillow on some long bus ride. And at 3 bucks I won't feel bad if I need to jettison it. This is the secret to efficient travel in countries with good swag. In Istanbul I chucked pants, shirts and most of my underwear so that we could transport more silk scarves back to England.

Then my keen elf eyes spot something in the discound coat rack. I zero in on it like a cruise missile, I think I knocked over a small child to get to it. Everyone has heard the story about buying a 2 dollar painting at a garage sale only to discover its a missing Renoire, and Jackal spent less that 25 cents for a First edition of Le Motre D'Arthur that he later sold at a tremandous profit. Today was my turn. We found a mint condition Half Moon Jacket.


If you've been doing renfaires for too long like I have you can spot one of these distinctive wool coats or capes from a mile away. Anyone who does the circuit full time had dropped 200 bucks or more for one. And I found one that fits Rossana like a glove for FOUR BUCKS.

Yes, I did the Happy Dance(tm).

Today was a good day.