verstehen libre.
Friday, April 25, 2008
theory and practice
So, it finally happened. The Powers That Be have Officially Scheduled my Big Exam, for a little less than 3 weeks from now. It's a little scary and intimidating, but mostly amazingly exciting and invigorating, much like so many other things in my life right now. Today I am going to revisit my remaining reading list, which will need to be trimmed a little to stuff it into the rest of my available time, and really start consolidating my comparative notes. We're also setting up a theory retreat for the week before the exam at Casa de Shauna, which will involve cramming for theory as one is supposed to: with plenty of wine and food and free-flowing conversation about it. I have a lot of long days ahead of me, but I love this shit, and I'm relaxed and restored and happy and totally ready for it. I may start using this space to write up notes, and/or random generals-related thoughts beyond Disturbing Insights (although those will, of course, surely still also be in store), so be ye all forewarned.
Speaking of plenty of wine and food and free-flowing conversation, Big Shot Lawyer and I spent the weekend brewing up an insanely irresponsible quantity of beer: six (really seven) batches, to be exact. Some will probably turn out to be pretty damn good; others will almost certainly be very, very bad. Highlights include the "Beyond Boston Barleywine" and the "Drop the Ball Double IPA," which we made despite the hops crisis because I fucked up the would-be Belgian yeast starter and we were too lazy to start another one. Lowlights include the "Middle Child," which is a truly unholy bastard of a beer created from the second runnings of the barleywine mash. We also found time for a (quite) strong American amber, a foreign export-style stout that we'll split into two batches in secondary (one with raspberries and one with Jim Beam-soaked oak chips) and another bastard kitchen sink beer that has a little bit of everything and then some. And to think, some suckers around here spend their spare time huddled in windowless computer labs studying! What rubes. Life is too fabulous for such distractions. ¶ 7:05 AM
Speaking of plenty of wine and food and free-flowing conversation, Big Shot Lawyer and I spent the weekend brewing up an insanely irresponsible quantity of beer: six (really seven) batches, to be exact. Some will probably turn out to be pretty damn good; others will almost certainly be very, very bad. Highlights include the "Beyond Boston Barleywine" and the "Drop the Ball Double IPA," which we made despite the hops crisis because I fucked up the would-be Belgian yeast starter and we were too lazy to start another one. Lowlights include the "Middle Child," which is a truly unholy bastard of a beer created from the second runnings of the barleywine mash. We also found time for a (quite) strong American amber, a foreign export-style stout that we'll split into two batches in secondary (one with raspberries and one with Jim Beam-soaked oak chips) and another bastard kitchen sink beer that has a little bit of everything and then some. And to think, some suckers around here spend their spare time huddled in windowless computer labs studying! What rubes. Life is too fabulous for such distractions. ¶ 7:05 AM
