Best-est Ever...So Far Anyway

So I am proud to announce that Knotty Brewing Company have poured their best ale yet in the Backyard Series(which thanks to mismanagement on Brew-It-Up's part is the only way to brew nowadays) to date. I is also he first time we have kegged as well, and it was so good that all 7 gallons of it were gone in one day. So we must have been doing something right, right?

We started the Backyard Series awhile back and one of the most widely distributed (and there is more) is the Little Knotty Extra Special Baby Bitter. That 12oz bottle conditioned (hence the floaties around the bottom of the bottle) brewed o celebrate the birth of Iain Michael Isaac Knott was created to replace cigars.  Many people have chosen to display them only which is fine but, if you want one or two to drink just let me know.

This latest batch was based on a Red and given a couple twist and turns by myself to add some brown elements to the taste. we had a little Backyard Brewfest where friends were able to sample some bottled beers without having to commit or feel bad if they didn't like the taste. We go a little help from our friends and also taught them some about the brewing process. The ale clocked in right around 4.5% or so, that is one thing that many Americans (and evidently Belgians) seem to not understand, chances are if you make something 10% it probably doesn't taste like beer anymore (like shite for the mos part in my humble opinion) but with a low alcohol great tasting beer you can drink (and enjoy) much more and can also drink longer. Remember, sometimes it is a marathon and not a sprint. We were commissioned by our good pal Darcy for Megan's bridal shower. We named it Red Frog Princess Ale, in reference to a little inside joke. Since we have a 7.25 gallon keg we were able to actually chill it in the Work Cooker (that is made from a full size keg) and hoot the tap right up to it, it worked for a short term solution until we can get a jokey box (beer taps in a specialized ice cooler) or some sort of sturdy yet portable system.

I don't think we'll be bottling much any more, maybe one gallon out of seven just to share. Hopefully though we can get this kegging thing down and always have some fresh drought ale for our guests.

Unfortunately I can find no photographic evidence of the beer at all, even my chalk board painted tap handle got smudged. Here are a couple pics of the brew crew from the day it was made.

Til  Then.

Cheers,
g 

Blinking Cursor, Blank Page

Four very scary words for the writer...but sometimes that is all you have. Now for instance, I find myself knowing that there is something inside that wants to be said, but without a clue as how to tap into it. I guess the next logical step is to ask whether bitching about having "writer's block" is considered news and/or whether it should be considered "creative" at all.

BREAK
So Rangers go down to Division III of the Scottish Football League for going broke and John Terry goes free from being a racist. And just as I said he looked like he said,  "I didn't call you a..." but what does being right get you? I knew that Rangers would go down too, they should just jump to the English Football League where they would have to start in League 2. They'd make more money though wouldn't they, shouldn't be too hard to climb up the ladder...either way I suppose.

This is not what I wanted to write about "block" or not.  "Why are you even trying to write?" you may ask. Well I made a promise to myself that I would do something "Creative" everyday. So that means getting back on line with both blogs, writing fiction, or playing/writing music. Something...Anything...And if this is the best I can do for today then I guess I should go and do something else.

Cheers,
g

Not Gonna Say A Thing

Just going to get right down to it...

A lot has happened since I last wrote, well it has and it hasn't, no major life changes as long as everyone is tracking with Iain and the rest. If not go back a few pages or go to www.thefamilyknot.blogspot.com and catch up with the boy and his adventures.

One thing that has Changed though and that would be the length of my hair and maybe the ability to do whatever I want with it. My disability claim has come back, and if anyone wants to know anything more they can get in touch with me. If anyone sees my wayward daughter let her know that she can get into college for free now, but we'll have to work together on it. (Anyone want to take odds on this?) Tell her she's only got till she's twenty-three so maybe it might be worth putting down whatever it is that is being held...for awhile at least. Who knows maybe...

To put something with that, it also means that I'm getting some help for things that I knew and didn't know were bothering me. I'm trying to be a better person after all, "someday's that's all you can do" and believe it or not we all could work on this.

With that I am going to Change the topic from the "poor me" I don't want to be that person. Things are Changing and I need to Change with them. If I hold any Hope at all at being that better person I need to work harder than I ever have before. All the Negativity isn't helping there are other outlets to let that out, the light at the end of the tunnel just might turn out to be something other than a train, and I need to look at the good things, look at the bright things, and move on from the bad things. Its a new me see....

Anyone remember last time I had this much hair?
I'll try and take a better one in the next couple of days

So I thought I would talk a little bit about the name of thins blog, cos I know that to almost anyone it don't make no sense. Unless they know me and really pay attention to what I say and sometimes sing about. Yep, I think I mentioned a long time ago that it was the title of a song that I was still writing. Well I am still writing it and it is about so much more than what started the process out.

Once upon a Time, "I once had a girl, or should I say she once had me" true story. We went out a couple of times and seemed to really get on. She went out of town, at least that is what I was told so I thought I would be Mr. Cool Guy and send flowers to be there when she got back. Well she got back late so there were dead flowers on her door step. She sent me a letter said the flowers and I were really sweet but we were in different places, it wasn't me it was her, etc. So not knowing when to stop I wrote a letter back that started out with the words, "Sorry All the Flowers Died" blah blah blah. The letter and the affair weren't that memorable but those words have stuck with me. Hence the song which is more about relationships in general and what happens when they don't all end in sunshine, care bears, and gumdrops. (Things have worked out much better though, don't get me wrong. Sometimes songs that had a lot to do with how you've felt are about how you no longer feel. But maybe if your lucky the song turns out helping someone else out.)
It has changed and evolved over the years the hook line is now, "Look for the Flowers, They're all Gone. By Any Other Name, we'd have got them Wrong" and doesn't even mentioned the title words until towards the end. Maybe someday I will put a video or audio clip on here for you all to hear.

Hope some of this makes sense.

Cheers,
g

Excuses Are Always Bullshit

I am trying to be more positive...just not today I guess. Sorry.

I should be doing better keeping up this blog, it is supposed to help, maybe me maybe you...who knows. Not having enough Time is shite, Cos I know damn well there are times when I sit doing nothing,  Psychomania, Depression, PTSD, whatthehellever.

What's going through my head? What isn't? I'm playing a waiting game with all things military right now, so no Change with that. I am just trying to have the best possible Time I can with the Family. Extended and local, or whatever.  The only thing that remains missing is big sister, so nothing new there.
Funny, both things Hurt, but in different ways. I don't cry when I think about how long the military, I don't lose my breath, want to scream, and drop to my knees ask whatever God that'll answer to.

I love my Family can't think of much that is as important, and I die a little bit inside when I know my daughter is not only Hellbent on hurting me but on hurting her Family as well. I don't know what exactly it is that I have done, but I am pretty damn sure her grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, etc never did a damn thing.

I should erase all this and not  bother anyone, but if i don't get it out..
.

TIME...Where Does It Go?

Next thing you know you look up and it has been 3 months since your last post. Of course it has been a long Time since anyone gave two shites anyway. Originally it was a way to communicate and to vent my frustration, now I don't know what it is... I meant to keep everyone up on my progress after surgery, and then I failed...sorry.

Its not like I haven't been busy and all...I have been very tired and kind of Afraid that whatever I said would come out Wrong (and what is Right exactly?). But I'm sure if you have been following other outlets I can be at least a little Forgiven. I'm not going to piss and moan and give excuses, or promise that I will do better.

But I'll try

Cheers,
g

Been a Bit Lax

And I'm sorry about it too.  Its weird how sometimes you think you've already done something...

The Doc said that my hand and arm strength is getting better and the scar is healing perfectly.  I will be wearing the collar and my array of scarves and ascots for another month, then we'll take an x ray and see about where to go from there. I know it will still involve the collar, but maybe a little less than all the time. I do start hand and arm physical therapy this week so that is progress.

What do you think: Bear attack, Monkey Knife Fight, Knee deep in a rice patty?
Suggestions?

And once again it won't get any worse.

Not very exciting is it? I guess that's why I didn't feel the need to rush out and type the news. Had a good weekend with Family and Friends though and that is worth more than all the whatever in the world. 'Cept maybe not losing to damn Bolton!

From what I understand the Littlest Knott may have some story telling to do...

Cheers'
g

The Red Dragon Will Rise Again

So it wasn't a great weekend to be a Red, another frustrating but normal 0-0 draw with Stoke. You get used to it though, if Stoke City play away from Home, they'll leave between 7 and 9 players inside the 18 yard box and grind out a Nil Nil draw. It angers and frustrates us all but what the Hell, 'em fekin Potters can...(wait for it)...(wait for it)...Sit'n'Spin!

Even Wolves pulled off a better draw than we did, way to steal points from Spurs, and keep yourselves a little farther up from the basement. Does us all favors really.

But everyone should put your hands together for Swansea,. beautiful team footie today. The Gunners may be big shots and I am sure were favoured by about a billion to one. But when that One is the Mythical Red Dragon of Wales...look out you posh London (there are so many words that I want to use, many of which even though they are shrieked at in the US, aren't really that bad. Let's just say that they might start with "c" or "t" but let's just go for one we can all live with) bastards. You can't keep them Swans down, and when they steal 3 points from Arsenal and Arsehole Wenger...BRAVO.

Now think on this my Friends...Cardiff City sit pretty high up in the Championship (I know as they have for awhile but that is a good and bad thing really.  Yeah they keep missing promotion by "that much" but that means that they are keeping up with the Jones's) this could be their year. So, if Cardiff can get promoted and Swansea can keep from relegation...not only will the two teams from Southern Wales (Including the National Capitol) be in the English Premier League, but the most successful club in England...the "Capitol of Northern Wales"...the Mighty Reds of Liverpool will as always be there. And do I dare even type the words and erase them?  

There is a reason that the Dragon of Wales is Red and today I feel proud to be Welsh and a Red.

Other than that we see the doctor tomorrow and hopefully I can spend a little time out of this damn collar. I wake up at nights snoring because of it with both hands around it trying to rip it off.  I snore louder than some of the loudest (and being in the military I've know some of the LOUDEST) snorers in the world.  I don't think I really get any sleep at all...I can hear myself...I'm asleep but I'm not..or am I?  I don't know what Hell may look like but I might now have an idea of the sounds.  I was going to say soundtrack but that is a whole different post.

Cheers,
g