Sunday, October 12th, 2008
European Union Bans Incandescent Light Bulbs
The switch to energy-saving bulbs was approved by EU ministers this past week. Advocates claim that replacing the worst-performing lamps with today’s best available technology will reduce domestic energy consumption for lighting by 60 percent; equivalent to preventing 30 million tons of CO2 pollution every year.
Is Cheaper Oil A Good Thing?
It has plummeted nearly 40% in just three months, from about $147 a barrel in July to below $83 on Friday, with no obvious bottom in sight. If that sounds good, you are probably a driver who winces these days at filling your gas tank. But the downward spiral could mean trouble for oil-rich countries and for the environment.
2010 Toyota Prius Adds Muscle at Expense of Fuel Efficiency
A Toyota spokesperson said the changes were to increase the vehicle’s mass-market appeal, but with the changing economy and increased concern for the environment, it remains to be seen whether top speed will be among buyers’ concerns.
Introducing the World’s Largest Solar Powered Winery
The largest solar installation of any winery in the world is set to be built for Constellation Wines’ Gonzalez winery in Monterrey County, CA by Pacific Power Management.
Exposing the Bi-Partisan Myth of Clean Coal
There’s at least one topic the candidates in the US elections won’t be wrangling over: so-called “clean” coal. That’s because they all support it.
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Tuesday, September 16th, 2008
I think I went to a bad store because I am very disappointed.
This evening, I ran out to the local market to get some food for dinner. While I was walking in, I noticed a beer and wine store right next to the food store. I did what I had to do in the food store and then made a quick visit into the alcohol store. I bought Gritty McDuff’s Black Fly Stout and Samuel Adams Cream Stout.
The reason I think I went to a bad store was because both beers were horrid. I opened the Gritty’s Black Fly Stout and began to pour it into the glass. The instant the beer hit the air, it turned to foam. I must have poured about a half inch of beer when the entire glass was full of suds. I waited for a while and then tried to pour more. It just kept turning into suds once the beer hit the air. I tasted the beer out of the bottle and it wasn’t any better. I poured that one down the drain and tried another. The same thing happened. Either it was a bad brew or someone left that beer out in the sun or something.
Since I still wanted a beer, I opened up a Sam Adams Cream Stout. I poured the beer and everything looked good. I am not sure if tasting the previous beer altered my taste buds or what, but this beer tasted watery. I was hoping that the “Cream” in Cream Stout would make the beer taste creamy. I guess not. It got slightly better throughout dinner, but I still wasn’t a happy camper.
I am going to bring the one six-pack of Gritty’s back to the store tomorrow. That’s BS.
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Posted in Food & Drink | 2 Comments »
Tuesday, September 18th, 2007
Back in the day, Laura and I lived in Naples, NY. It was an interesting adventure, I would say. If you have never lived in Western NY, I would recommend it. Even when we talk about that year today, I always mention the peace and quiet of it all.
At times, usually around the holidays, we would travel back to Southern NY to visit family and friends. We were always kind of disturbed by the buzz that was in the air. I mean, we had fun, but were getting way too used to the quiet of upstate. We would drive back to Naples and (I always say this) right at the entrance of town, I swear the buzz would slide right off me. It was a really nice little town.
One of the best things about that town was the wine. Naples is a wine town. The biggest winery in town is called, “Widmer Winery.” There were vineyards all over the place. In the Autumn, you could smell the grapes in the air. After the winery would scrape the barrels, they would dump the pulp in the fields. That pulp filled the air with scent.
The other night, Laura and I went down to the local Chinese restuarant in town to grab some veggie Chinese food. I didn’t order over the phone because I wanted to spend some time outside the house, even if that meant sitting in a parking lot waiting for the food to be prepared. She sat in the car reading while I walked down and placed the order. During the wait, I decided to walk up to the liquor store to restock some of what we have been craving. I walked in a picked up a bottle of Manischewitz Wine. I like the rasberry one. I also got some Brotherhood Winery spicy holiday wine. It’s a great dessert wine. I like sweet wines. After I had those two wines in my arm, I walked to the back and picked up a gallon of Carlo Rossi Sangria. That’s my favorite cheap red wine. It should be on the counter all the time.
What’s the point of this post? Well, it really has to do with Naples and Manischewitz Wine. Widmer Winery makes the Manischewitz Wine. When we went on the wine tour, they showed us that brand of wine. It’s fun because you can mix it with a bunch of other stuff on hot summer days. After the tour was over, we sampled some of it and bought a few bottles. They do a good job of “getting you loose” to purchase more.
I drank a glass of Manischewitz Wine the other night. It tasted delicious, of course. The only issue is that I think this wine has something in it that gives me a headache. I really like it, so I think I will have to drink it in smaller doses.
Wow, that was an abrupt ending.
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Thursday, September 7th, 2006
Every year, towards the middle of August, Laura and I venture to the Shakespeare Festival at Boscobel in Cold Spring, NY. This is one night a year we really, really have a good time. It reminds us of the culture in this world that we miss so much by focusing on work, day in and day out.
Last year, the show offered “The Two Gentlemen of Verona.” I am not going to attempt to give a review of the show, as I am sure there are people out there who could write much better than me. Here is one from the Utah Shakespeare Festival. What I am going to try to do, is to sell the show and experience to you, and hopefully my photos can do that. You really do deserve a unique night out like this.
I have to say, the whole experience is a good one, from the drive over the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge, through Beacon and down along the Hudson River into Cold Spring. It’s a beautiful ride. Continuing through Cold Spring and finally arriving at Boscobel is a pleasant surprise every time. The parking at Boscobel is even nice. The lots are shaded by trees and tucked back from the road. There is about a quarter-mile walk from the parking lots to the tent area and the mansion.
The gardens are especially nice on a cool, clear evening.
I always spend a good amount of time browsing around the gardens, getting good ideas for the future. I seem to forget that the fun is right around the corner. It is kind of like stopping and getting attached to the first ride you come across at an amusement park. You can’t stop there. I eventually snap out of it and wander onto the lawn.
This has got to be one of my favorite places in the world. Just being among people who are having such a good time with their wine and food makes me forget all about every day business. It reminds me a little of “Alice in Wonderland…”
We usually walk around for a while and wait for them to sound that the show is about to start. We have yet to set up camp and relax with our food and wine. This is a definate for next time.
When we hear them asking us to take our seats, we make our way to the tent to enjoy the show!
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Posted in Entertainment, Travels | 2 Comments »
