I'm having an epic day. Not only did I just realize it's a three-day weekend, but I got word earlier today that Publishers Weekly have given my anthology The Book of Cthulhu a coveted starred review. In the book biz, that means you've done something right. So I'm marking the moment with an Epic Armageddon [...]
One of the risks in reviewing adult beverages: a high ABV may lead to a missed review. That's what happened with Knee Deep Brewing Company's Hoptologist DIPA, which I purchased, photographed, and enjoyed a couple weeks ago, but forgot to write a review. At 9% and 102 IBU, this one packs a wallop, so in [...]
The Holiday season is here, evidenced by the lit-up tree in my living room, the boat parade tooting along the Petaluma River, and Jennifer's stockpile of toy donations preventing me from accessing my turntable and bookshelves T through Z. Christmas chaos... not to mention carols, shopping, and panic... will soon be unavoidable.So tonight, in honor [...]
Friday night seems to be as much about celebrating the things you managed to get done over the course of the week as it is about recognizing that there were a few things that just plain aren't going to get done, things that are just going to have to wait for Monday. In that spirit, [...]
Veterans Day, Remembrance Day, Armistice Day, call it what you will, the holiday not only commemorates the end of the War to End All Wars (ah, if only that name had been more accurate), but also pays tribute to those who serve this country (too often giving all). Plus, it's a whole lot of elevens--particularly [...]
I started the day out right, wandering downtown with Maddie and Jennifer after breakfast, stopping by Acre for a bittersweet (soy) mocha, checking out the dia de los muertos window displays, and then heading back home for some serious reading. Now I'm enjoying a Sanctuary--a Belgian-style Dubbel from Hood River, Oregon's Full Sail Brewing--with music [...]
I've had Dogfish Head's Punkin Ale recommended to me a few times lately. Not one to ignore a testimonial, not to mention being a fan of Dogfish Head's other offerings, I had to try it. This one's "a full-bodied brown ale brewed with real pumpkin, brown sugar, allspice, cinnamon, & nutmeg." And how can you [...]
One of my biggest literary influences is Hunter S. Thompson. Progenitor of Gonzo journalism, unapologetic gun nut, and political raconteur, Doctor Thompson was a true American original. Flying Dog Brewery, originally of Aspen, CO, but now located in Frederick, MD, was started by Thompson's friend and neighbor George Stranahan, and has distinguished itself as a [...]
Everybody loves the Farmer's Daughter. She's one of those great stock characters of literature (and the subject of more than a few dirty jokes, usually involving a Traveling Salesman). Depending in the needs of the narrative, she can be plucky, optimistic, and naïve, or seductive, manipulative, and dangerous. One of my favorite versions of the [...]