Nobrainer’s Think Tank

Although I don’t keep up with this blog as much as I might like, I am often pleased when I can go back and see what I wrote at some point in the past. I just ran across a post from April 1st, 2007. I think it needs an update:

• Last year I started my container garden with pre-started plants from Lowes. But we had a frost and they died. I bought more. The assorted pepper plants weren’t especially fruitful. However, I have managed to keep them alive through the winter and I’m hoping that they can be at least mildly productive this year. Sadly, the one with the least enjoyable peppers is the one that has best survived the winter.

  This year I’m starting my plants from seeds. I should say that I have started my plants from seeds. After about 1 month I have 20 tomato plants and 30 pepper plants started.

• I’m well overdue to produce some home brew.
• I’m very glad that I purchased Hank III’s Straight to Hell and the Spinal Tap sound track
• I only read about 5 pages of the PHP cookbook. However I have done a hefty amount of PHP work since then.
• I only got about halfway through Power System Economics
• I did finish Sowell’s A Conflict of Visions. It’s an OK book. But I suggest that if you choose to read it, you should attempt to explain the premise of the book to yourself at the end of each completed chapter. If you can do so, quit reading. The rest of the book will add no further depth to your understanding.

• Whereas last year I began my container gardening of peppers and tomatoes from seeds, this year I opted to buy plants at Lowe’s. Hopefully my bell pepper and jalapeño plants enjoy their new home.
• I’m enjoying the fruits of some home brewing labors I undertook a few months ago. The first batch, as with many of forays into brewing with Mr. Beer, was flat and somewhat cidery. The 2nd batch, which is a Nut Brown Ale type beer is crisp and bubbly. Unfortunately it kinda tastes like club soda. Further brewing will commence after my move to DC. It will also include better brewing equipment and glass, instead of plastic, bottles.
• I’ve been enjoying some new music. Hank Williams III’s Straight to Hell is exceptionally good.
• The full length songs of Spinal Tap are not as enjoyable as the clips played throughout the movie.
• I’m reading several books concurrently. One is a PHP Cookbook. I’m just starting, but some hardcore coding education seems pretty exciting.
• I’m also working on Power System Economics. It’s an interesting read. Suffice it to say that I’ll know more about the subject that any of you within 6 months.
• I’m also reading Sowell’s A Conflict of Visions. It’s a good reminder that some people — wrongly in my opinion — simply view the world in different terms. However, juxtaposed upon current American politics, both parties pick and choose from the two visions in whichever way fits their interests.

That’s enough for now.

• When you get the chance, watch “Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story“. Hilarious!
• Over the summer I bought a small meyer lemon tree. It’s been doing very well recently, and is actually blooming right now. Hopefully I’ll have homegrown fruit in a few months. It should be everbearing from then on out. Next I want a lime tree… and then a Corona tree.
• I started a 2nd batch of homebrew this last weekend. The first batch was not too bad. This one involves ground coriander for seasoning and some brown sugar. Who knows!
• Planning ahead gets me nowhere. I’ve got tickets for a show in DC this weekend. Of course this would be the one weekend when Charlottesville might actually get “rowdy.” I hope UVA is ready for the butt-whooping they are about to receive.
• The Sprint/Nextel merger has me a little scared. The first mailing I received about it was sent to me… at my old address… from over a year ago. I’m guessing somebody at Woodland Circle is now informed that my cell phone account won’t be changing, aside from the ugly ass new color scheme and logo.
  

Stage one is now complete. Nobrainer is not holding out much hope for Nobrainer’s Brew version 1.0.

On Saturday, I transferred the contents of the Mr. Beer brew keg into 3 large, old soda bottles. At this stage the beer is mixed with sugar and stored in a pressure vessel (thus the old soda bottles) where the alcohol and carbonation levels increase. After a week or so the product will be transferred into smaller, 16 oz bottles. So several days ago I bought an 18 pack of Coors light in plastic bottles. Over these last few days I’ve had to systematically empty said bottles so they can be properly cleaned and prepared for their next beer containing lifetime.

Unfortunately, the beer already smelled cidery. Not to say that this is necessarily bad, but it’s not really good. It is becoming apparent that hops will have to be added to future mixes to add the appropriate bitterness that beer really needs. The next batch, in lieu of hops, will take advantage of ground coriander.

Oh well, it can’t be worse than Schlitz. Can it?