Brewed Beverage of Choice: Some homemade Mead given to me by a pub regular
Music To Calm My Nerves: Reachin’ (A New Refutation of Time and Space) - Digable Planets
As the train whisked me through the west hills of Portland on my way to work this morning, a few things popped into my head as I tried to read. Both are sort of related - related in a way because one was borne from the other in an organic flow of mind seeds flowering into some sort of colourful plantlife. The first thought was a sort of displeasure and sadness that I do not really write on the train because there is little in the way of privacy. In Milwaukee, the bus ride was a great place to write despite the bumps. There was always one or two places where people would not disturb me. But on the MAX here in town there is no place on the train that is safe from someone sitting next to you or someone looking over your shoulder, etc. etc. So many letters to my friend RL or my brother have gone by the wayside because strangers look on whilst I write.
From this one innocent little thought came the next thought of how I figure it is fortunate that I got my degree in History because I cannot write fiction. I have often wanted to be a writer, but as you have seen, my thoughts do not flow in complements long enough to make a good story. Don’t get me wrong. I have some pretty good ideas about stories but cannot form them into more than an idea with great images. But with history I can form a pretty good image with lots of research and facts. The words and ideas flow like the Yangtze River. It is the same with my poetry. I do not have to draw an idea out into a bigger picture. Simplicity is the key.
The thoughts could have blossomed more, but my stop came. And so I picked up my bike and walked on out the door, threw my empty cup of joe into the trash and prepared to ride on except…flat tire!!! In the half hour I had been on the train, my tire went flat and I had nothing to pump it. I could see that it was going to be that kind of day. And it was…Up until this afternoon when some of us at the pub had a meeting to discuss the brewer’s dinner we are having at the end of November. Time to geek out!
I wish I could properly convey the enthusiasm and geekiness through these mere words on a computer screen. But, alas, it is not possible. But I will give it a go. In August we at the brewery created our 4000th brew: a Weizenbock. To celebrate this wonderful event, I thought it would be great to have a brewer’s dinner. Surprisingly enough, the powers that be thought that was a good idea as well. So today we went through and developed the menu, paired the beers to go with the selected menu items with the coup de grace being the Weizenbock.
The event is going to be held in the house on the property which was the original pub but has now been relegated to catering events. But on one night in November we are taking it over for a nice night of beer geekdom. Even now I can see it. The fireplace going. A nice pint of ale in the hand. Just the thought of it makes me feel like I am at home at Von Triers in Milwaukee. Oooooohhhhhh, RL we need to go to Von Triers!
But I have to curb my enthusiasm. It is still a month away. Too bad though. It will have a great beer menu of English Pale Ale, Altbier, Nut Brown Ale, Smoked Porter with Smoke Oysters, IPA, and of course the guest of honour, Weizenbock. If you are in Portland, this is one not to miss. If you are not in Portland, sorry. But the holidays bring brewer’s dinners all over the country. Find one in your area and tell them the confucian brewer sent you.
Prost!
the confucian brewer