100% Crap, for those with low standards.

I think this video pretty much sums it up the Redskins’ season.  What started with some optimism ends in a horrible, painful, hard-to-watch crumble.  The head coach is forced to stand on the sidelines after being all but fired halfway through his second year, the starting lineup lost 9 of it’s opening day players to season ending injuries, and a loyal fan base who shoveled out of two feet of snow is sent back in the direction of the parking lot after less than two quarters.

Just as Theismann’s football career was over, the ‘Skins status as a respected franchise – at least for the foreseeable future – has gone by the wayside.

As a side note, I love how this is so gruesome that even Lawrence Taylor is shaking his head in disbelief.  That’s pretty much my reaction to watching much of tonight’s first half.

Avatar

a) Apparently this movie cost 17.2 billion dollars to make, meaning that it will have to break every other box office record combined in order to break even.  So, I can’t help but think that the media bombardment / hype machine (which must cost a pretty penny too) is nothing more than a James Cameron brainwashing scheme for which the movie is really just a front.

b) I don’t understand why remote ‘alien’ worlds are really just one-offs that are just as much like original Star Trek episodes as anything new or innovative.

• The planet is named ‘Pandora’ and, while I’m sure there’s some deeper meaning intended,  all I can think of is the streaming music app for my iphone.
• The people of Pandora are really just a cross between elves, cats, and blue humans.  Oh, except they’re “really hard to kill.”  I guess you can’t make these creatures too dissimilar from ourselves, otherwise there wouldn’t be the same sense of compassion when it comes to wiping them out.  Oh, and if you didn’t believe me about the Star Trek thing, see link here.
• I’m sure I’ve seen those robot suits before – The Matrix, Alien, Sector 7, etc.
• “You’re not in Kansas Anymore.”  Really?  Futuristic movie, ripping off classic movie… did The Wizard of Oz exist in their world too?
• Maybe an alien race that relies on the taming of wild beasts and implementation of medieval weaponry can out-duel an army with superior technology.  The Ewoks took down the Empire’s entire Storm Trooper battalion after-all.

I don’t really want to see Avatar, and the fact that it’s pulling in decent reviews only makes be believe in the brainwashing conspiracy theory even more.  I suppose that the spectacle of seeing it in iMax 3D could make it worthwhile just for the visual experience, but unless the only other alternative is carving up my family after a heated Christmas Day dispute, I think I’ll pass.

‘Tis ‘Twas the season for hearty, malty, nutmeg and cinnamon spiced beers.  While this isn’t the sort of fare that I typically make for myself since it’s hard to drink more than a couple at a time, a tailgate / costume party afternoon assured that there would be plenty of thirsty folks to get the job done.

Generally, the reviews were good, although the recpe fell a little short of my own expectations.  First of all, the balance of malt to hops was skewed in the wrong direction.  Although there was only an ounce of hots in the recipes, I would consider either cutting the amount or the boil time in half.  Next, there wasn’t nearly enough ‘pumpkin’ flavor to really make you feel like you were drinking something seasonal.  I’m not sure if there’s a good way to add an real pumpkin or not, but doubling up on the ‘pumpkin spice’ is a must.

Anyway, here’s the recipe.  If anyone has any suggestions, I’m happy to hear ‘em.

Specialty Grains

* .5 lbs. Bries Caramel 40

Fermentables

* 3.15 lbs. Amber Malt Syrup (Boil 60 min.)
* 1 lbs. Pilsen DME (Boil 60 min.)
* 3.15 lbs. Amber Malt Syrup (Boil 15 min.)

Boil Additions

* 1 oz. Cluster (60 min)
* 1 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice (0 min)

If you choose dry yeast

* Safale US-05. Optimum temperature: 59-75° F.